Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

A tale of sheer resistance and of never giving up

12 May 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied

A tale of sheer resistance and of never giving up, is what best describes University of the Free State student Puseletso Moqomo’s academic journey.

From changing studies three times, losing NSFAS funding, and not being able to pay her fees, to working as a cashier at a Bloemfontein filling station to fund her education, Moqomo has seen and done it all, and she says she wouldn’t change a single thing about her journey.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during the 2021 April virtual graduation ceremony. When asked what kept her going, she said, “I told myself that I would study hard and obtain my degree; no matter what came my way, I wouldn’t give up. I would be tired and unable to study, but I told my mind that I had to do what I had to do to advance.”

Moqomo first encountered financial exclusion when her application for NSFAS funding was not approved in 2016. She did not have the R6 830 that was required for registration, and therefore had to pause her studies indefinitely. She decided to look for a job to pay her fees, and in June of that year she was employed as a temporary cashier at the Engen filling station at Northridge Mall in Noordhoek. “I was embarrassed and ashamed when I lost my NSFAS funding but giving up was not one of the things on my mind. When I started working, I made it very clear that I didn’t want to be a permanent employee; I simply wanted to work enough to have money to pay my fees.”

Juggling work and school paid off

She saved enough to be able to register again in January 2017, but she had to change degree programmes along the way. “After writing my November exams, I would go back to Engen so that I could save money for the following year’s registration. I would fail my modules but still try again,” she said.

NSFAS continued to pay for the rest of her fees, but in 2020, during her final year, she was told that she had exceeded the number of years she could receive funding. “I began working full time because I knew I might not get NSFAS funding even after appealing, so I would work night shifts from Friday to Sunday, then take a bath at work and go to class on Monday mornings. Through all of this, I told myself that I would pass, and I would pass well.”

Fortunately, after relating her whole story to NSFAS during her appeal, she received funding for her final year – which came on time too, as she had to be laid off work temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She went back to work again in November 2020 and saved enough money to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which she is currently pursuing. She is also currently completing her teaching practical at Ikaelelo Senior Secondary School, where she matriculated in 2013. “I knew I wanted to continue with my studies, so I worked hard.”

“Giving up is not an option; some things do not come easily – not even a degree. For some it might be easy, but for others there will be hurdles that they will have to overcome, but you have to keep going.”

News Archive

UFS student makes breakthrough in the application of nanorobots

2005-04-21

A student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has made a ground-breaking discovery in the field of microbiology by uncovering a series of new compounds that may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots.

Mr Olihile Sebolai, a full-time student at the UFS’s Department of Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, made this discovery while working on his M Sc-study on yeast.

With this discovery Mr Sebolai will also be awarded six prestigious prizes during this week’s autumn graduation ceremony at the UFS. This university has recognised this exceptional achievement as a build-up to the celebration of national Science and Technology week next month.

Mr Sebolai’s dissertation on the yeast genus Saccharomycopsis Schionning has been published in an accredited international journal of repute.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am. I never expected to receive such recognition for my studies. I am humbled by all of this,” said Mr Sebolai.

The Lipid Biotechnology Group at the UFS recently discovered that some yeasts produce their own water-propelled capsules in which they are transported. These capsules have different shapes and resemble among others miniature flying saucers, hats with razor sharp brims etc. “In order to function properly, parts of the capsules are oiled with prehistoric lubricants – lubricants that are produced by yeasts and that probably existed for many millions of years as yeasts developed,” said Mr Sebolai.

According to Mr Sebolai these capsules are so small that approximately 300 can be fitted into the full-stop at the end of a sentence and are therefore invisible to the naked eye.

“With my studies I discovered many new compounds that resemble these prehistoric lubricants. These lubricants may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots and are similar in size compared to yeast capsules,” said Mr Sebolai. The nanorobots are used to perform tasks in places that are invisible to the naked eye and could one day be used, among others, to clean up human arteries.

Mr Sebolai has been interested in the subject of Micro technology since he was at RT Mokgopa High School in Thaba ‘Nchu. “I was specifically interested in the many possible applications the subject has – in the industry, as well as in medicine,” said Mr Sebolai.

His next goal is to successfully complete his Ph D-degree.

The prizes that will be awarded to Mr Sebolai this week include:

Best Magister student at the UFS (Senate medal and prize);

Best Magister student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science and Dean’s medal at the same faculty;

The Andries Brink – Sasol-prize for the best M Sc dissertation in Microbiology;

The JP van der Walt prize for best M Sc dissertation in yeast science;

The Chris Small prize for an outstanding Master’s dissertation; and

Honorary colours awarded by the UFS Student Representative Council

Media release

Issued by: Lacea Loader

Media Representative

Tel: (051) 401-2584

Cell: 083 645 2454

E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

20 April 2005

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept