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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

Kesa, UFS cross-country teams shine at USSA
2016-10-24

Description: ’Manapo UFS cross-country Tags: UFS cross-country

The Kovsies 8 km women’s team
was crowned as champions at
the USSA cross-country meeting
in Richards Bay. From the left are
Marne Mentz, Lizandre Mulder,
and Kesa Molotsane.
Photo: Sarina Cronje

The University of the Free State (UFS) not only boasts a South African women’s cross-country champion, one of its women’s teams is also the best university team in the country.
The Kovsies 8 km women’s team was crowned the winners at the University Sports SA cross-country event in Richards Bay, while the 10 km men’s team finished second.

Kovsies men take second place

The women’s team consisted of Kesa Molotsane, Marne Mentz, and Lizandre Mulder. They respectively came in first, third and fifth at the USSA meeting held at the University of Zululand on 30 September and 1 October 2016. In the women’s competition, the times of the first three competitors are used to determine the team placements.

The UFS 4 km women’s team finished in 5th place.

The successful UFS 10 km men’s team consisted of four members from the Qwaqwa Campus – Lesedi Radebe (4th), Lebohang Miya (8th), Moorosi Semase (10th), and Lindobuhle Miya (11th). In the men’s competition, the times of the first four men in each team are taken into account.

The Kovsies 4 km men’s team finished sixth.

Molotsane’s dream year continues

Molotsane, assistant officer at KovsieSport, is experiencing a dream year. On 10 September 2016 she was crowned as national cross-country champion over 10 km when she represented the Free State in George. Mentz was third in George over 4 km.

Molotsane improved her own record in the 3 000 m at the Clover athletics meeting in Bloemfontein on 15 October 2016. Her time of 09:51.03 was much better than her previous record time of 10:03.97.

In the USSA road relay in Richards Bay on 1 October 2016, the Kovsies women’s team finished third in the 3 x 2 km relay. The men came fifth in the 4 x 4 km relay.

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