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24 May 2021 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
The 2021 Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race puts students’ sustainable energy and critical thinking skills to the test.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Division of Student Affairs’ (DSA) Director of Student Life, Dr WP Wahl, believes the knowledge and skills that students have gained through participating in the 2021 Eco-vehicle project will position them more optimally in the future world of work. “We are also tremendously grateful for the project funding received from merSETA; without their support, none of this would have been possible,” he remarked.

The Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race, in conjunction with the overall programme, was established to encourage students to learn more about the technology and logic behind sustainable energy sources and how this can influence the future global society.

This year’s events witnessed students competing according to their UFS residence teams, with Sonnedou, Legatum, Kestell (SonLeTell); Soetdoring, Beyers Naude, Arista (Soetbeyrista); and Roosmaryn, Kagiso, Karee (Kar-is-myn) ending in first, second, and third place respectively, obtaining the highest scores for the races they competed in.

Anton Calitz, Electrical Engineer in University Estates who was the announcer on the day, described the event as one that exceeded his wildest expectations. “From a sustainable energy point of view, the eco-vehicle race results really turned the tables, with lower energy usage per lap being successfully recorded – as anticipated,” he further added.

Andre van Wyk, Client Liaison Officer of merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta) for the Free State and Northern Cape – as one of the sponsors of the innovative programme – extended warm congratulations to the UFS for hosting an outstanding event. He further applauded the university for its resourcefulness in virtually adding electronic media broadcasts to extend the event to the entire UFS community.

“The Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle programme was eye-opening and exposed me to the broad field of electronics. It definitely came as a challenge – one I had not anticipated on that level, because at times I couldn’t even see what all the building was leading to, but I just had to put my mind and hands to work – it pushed me to think critically and creatively. I was honoured to have been part of this entire experience and I’m grateful to Anton and his team, as well as the Kovsie ACT office, for being a constant support structure throughout the process, as it was not easy.” 

These were the humble words of Sinegugu Sibisi, a University of the Free State (UFS) student who was part of the 2021 Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race, where sustainable energy was at the order of the day.

For more information about the Kovsie ACT eco-vehicle skills programme, email ACT at ACT@ufs.ac.za
 

 

News Archive

Student Hanje Pistorius walks before Christmas
2009-12-15

Mr Frans Kleinhans and Hanje Pistorius during a fitting session of her new bionic leg.
Photograph: Leonie Bolleurs

A medical student at the University of the Free State (UFS), Hanje Pistorius, who lost her leg in a motor accident while collecting money for the Rag earlier this year, will walk before Christmas. This time with the help of her new bionic leg. People countrywide opened their hearts and made contributions to help cover the cost of a prosthesis for Hanje.

Hanje decided on a product from the prosthesis component manufacturer, Ossur. The impressive mobility of a patient model user of the Rheo Knee convinced Hanje that this is the prosthesis that she would like to use.

The company Ossur decided to donate a part of the prosthesis component to her. Mr Frans Kleinhans from FA Kleinhans Orthopaedic Services also made a big contribution by offering to deliver the clinical services to manufacture the prosthesis and to fit it to Hanje. He will also manage the long-term rehabilitation.

Although Hanje is still unfamiliar with the leg, Mr Kleinhans said that she is already making good progress with the leg.
 

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