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Temba Hlasho: Enhancing the student experience through open dialogue

08 September 2021 | Story Mr Temba Hlasho | Photo Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)

Dear Students

I trust that you are well and safe.

I am Mr Temba Hlasho, your newly appointed Executive Director: Student Affairs, and I am honoured to be of service to you. The Department of Student Affairs wishes all the students a productive and academically friendly September. My goal is to build an engaging and open-dialogue relationship with student bodies to better understand their plight, which will then be used as a leveller for enhanced, positive working partnerships with colleagues in finding effective student solutions. And as you may already know, the Division of Student Affairs is often a good place to start when you cannot figure out what to do, where to go, who to ask, or are simply in need of a soundboard.

As you continue with your final semester, I would like to remind you that my office is at your disposal to ensure the provision of social support, as well as co-curricular and extra-curricular activities aimed at enhancing your chances of academic success. Student Affairs service units are readily available to assist you in reaching your full potential inside and outside the lecture room. Please remember to visit our webpage for more information on our support services.

On 19 August 2021, the South African Cabinet approved the vaccination of people between the ages of 18 and 35. This milestone provides an opportunity for all students within the approved age categories to go out there and get vaccinated for your safety, health, and well-being. During these uncertain times and a ‘new normal epoch’, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and get vaccinated for your own safety and consideration for others.

My sincere gratitude to all students who participated in our virtual Student Affairs Week that unfolded during August; I encourage you to continue participating in our upcoming events. Due to COVID-19 protocols, these activities will be held virtually:

• The Institutional Student Governance Office’s (SGO) SRC elections are currently underway. On 15 September 2021, election campaigning will commence; all information related to the elections may be accessed here.

• Student Counselling and Development (SCD) will be hosting a World Suicide Prevention webinar, titled Suicide Awareness Day on 10 September 2021. SCD will also be hosting various webinars on Blackboard throughout the semester.

• The Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) is commemorating 20 (twenty) years; activities of this celebration will be on the university’s website from 3 September 2021.

September marks the annual Heritage Day in South Africa, and I invite you to embrace and recognise South African culture as the best means to showcase your cultural identities. Over the past two decades, there has been a renewed focus on the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH). ICH manifests itself in the form of oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; performing arts; social practices, rituals, and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.

The global ICH crisis involves the indigenous loss of language experienced in several parts of the world, including South Arica. In passing down cultural heritage, language – among other aspects – is an integral part. As students of higher education institutions, particularly the University of the Free State, I challenge you to develop and implement creative and innovative ways of protecting and preserving the ICH. Our Arts and Culture Office is readily available to aid you in this regard.

Hearty congratulations to the UFS Kovsie Netball Team on being crowned the 2021 Varsity Netball champions. As the UFS community, we are extremely proud of this achievement by the netball players and the technical team.

I wish you all the very best for this semester. Please stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitise, and practise social distancing. Most importantly, stay away from crowded public spaces as far as it is practically possible.

TS Hlasho

Executive Director: Student Affairs

News Archive

UFS intensifies its advocacy on humanity and solidarity to Japan

2011-03-08

Staff and students from our university, marching for humanity
Photo: Stephen Collett

Staff and students from the University of the Free State (UFS) representing various associations and student bodies, together with Kovsie supporters, braved the cold and wet weather yesterday (17 March) as they embarked on a march for humanity. This occurred just two days after an urgent meeting had been called by the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Rudi Buys to create a platform for students to deliberate on mechanisms to be used in supporting Japan, which is facing immense challenges, thereby responding to their unfortunate current situation. It is also a day after the direct conversation between the UFS and the South African ambassador to Japan, Mr Gert Grobler, a Kovsie alumnus.

The visibly spirited group started their march from the Main Building on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Within minutes the Callie Human Centre – assembly point for the participants – was occupied by students and staff members who arrived in their numbers, carrying banners with messages of support for Japan.

Modieyi Motholo, ISC Chairperson, read a memorandum in the presence of more than 300 students. “We, the community of the University of the Free State, as sons and daughters of South Africa and the world, by our very action in this march today, celebrate our shared humanity, declare our solidarity with the people of Japan, and join the movement to build a culture of Human Rights. We declare our commitment to the cause of human dignity and equality, and the promotion of human rights, non-racialism and non-sexism,” read the memorandum.

“Japan is far; we shall never be able to take the entire Kovsie community there to assist the Japanese in rebuilding their homes. However, we can show our solidarity and raise an awareness for their unfortunate circumstances by our numbers,” Modieyi said.

Mr Buys admitted to being overwhelmed by the united Kovsie community he witnessed standing up for a cause they believed in. On receiving the memorandum on behalf of the UFS management, he stated: “There is a different and new set of values in our student community. We have the best students in the world, driven by a pioneering spirit aimed at building a new society. We have come so far in a short period of time. You deserve recognition as a student population.”

The march was also organised to declare the UFS’s support and solidarity for the people of Japan. The solidarity campaign has further been intensified with the establishment of committees comprising fundraising, research, marketing and awareness, spirituality and volunteers. Nida Jooste, the ISC Vice-Chairperson, said that the research committee was busy conducting a comprehensive study on how the UFS can be of assistance to the Japan. “With the report we will be able to design and implement programmes that will be aligned with the needs of the people of Japan. “In the meantime, we will carry out small projects that will keep the flame of solidarity burning on our campus,” she concluded.

Noticeable amongst the attendees were Mr John Samuels, the current Director of the International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice.

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