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22 October 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Rhona Klopper
Donating masks to Rekopane Primary School, were from the left: Alfi Moolman (UFS Directorate: Community Engagement), Sonja Venter-Botes (Bloemshelter), Tina Moleko (Rankwe Primary School), and Michelle Engelbrecht (UFS Centre for Health Systems Research and Development).

The Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CHSR&D) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently donated 500 masks to Rekopane Primary School in Botshabelo. This initiative was part of its pledge to donate 100 cloth masks to a previously disadvantaged primary school for every 1 000 of the first 5 000 completed questionnaires that formed part of a study survey examining people’s understanding of information about COVID-19 vaccines. The results of the study will be shared with stakeholders who are responsible for providing information about COVID-19 vaccinations.

It is known that a large number of people globally and in South Africa prefer not to be vaccinated. “There are many reasons for this, and we would like to find out where people are getting information about the COVID-19 vaccination, and whether they are able to understand this information, so that they can make an informed choice about getting vaccinated. We did this by asking people about their own health and COVID-19, where they have heard about the vaccine, if they understood this information, and whether they have had/would have the vaccine or not, as well as the reasons for this,” said Prof Michelle Engelbrecht, Director of CHSR&D. 

While following guidelines such as wearing masks, sanitising hands, and social distancing are important to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a large percentage of the population will need to be vaccinated if we want to control the pandemic in the long term and prevent hospitalisation and severe illness. 

All persons in South Africa aged 18 and older were invited to complete an online survey regarding their perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines. The survey, which was available in the seven most spoken languages in the country, was advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and on the Moya app.  The survey was open from 1 to 31 September 2021, and the CHSR&D received 10 554 completed questionnaires.  No data was required to complete the survey.

The Department of Basic Education partners decided on the school that would benefit, and the study provided an opportunity to support Bloemshelter, a UFS flagship programme. Alfi Moolman of the Directorate: Community Engagement said that “NGOs are really struggling to make ends meet, and we are delighted that Bloemshelter could provide the masks as one of their income-generating projects.  So many lives are touched for the good. The university is indeed a caring organisation.”


News Archive

Nkanyezi Talk @UFS looks at gender in the 21st century
2013-08-28

 
Lively debates and conversations as students discuss the topic of gender in the 21st century.
28 August 2013
Photo: Linda Fekisi

Students gathered at the CR Swart Senate Hall for the second Nkanyezi Talk @UFS dialogue session. Nkanyezi Talk @UFS is a student initiative that gives students a platform to voice their thoughts and ideas about issues affecting them during and after their university life.

The August-inspired topic, Gender in the 21st century, focused mainly on women. The talk looked at women in the workplace, the role that the media plays in redefining women and how South Africans can integrate the works of theorists on gender into their everyday lives.

A panel of guest speakers included Ace Moloi, former news editor of the Irawa student newspaper at the University of the Free State and News24 contributor, Leah Molatseli, an associate attorney at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, and Bongi Tsoleli, who is the chairperson of a portfolio in the Free State Legislature.

“We need to take own initiative as students. We need to understand what they want, as well as the issues they are confronted with,” says Bongani Zwane, founder member of Nkanyezi Talk.

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