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03 September 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe
“This way please” UFS Clinic nurses point the way. From left to right: Sister Nangamso Lukhubeni, Sister Noluthando Luthuli, Sister Mathapelo Moloi, and Sister Modiehi Moloi.

Fully vaccinated! 

These were the words uttered by many Qwaqwa staff members who received their second Pfizer jab at the vaccination site on the Qwaqwa Campus on Thursday (2 September 2021). More than 100 staff members turned up at the site, many for the second jab, while others were there to get their first. The staff members were full of praise for the convenience of having a site on campus, and said the brisk service made the entire process a breeze. The 24/7 Study Centre on campus was repurposed as a vaccination site at the end of August, bringing much-needed relief to staff and students, as well as the Qwaqwa community.

The vaccination experience

Chelly König, Professional Officer in the Department of Chemistry, urged people to trust the science behind the vaccine and the fact that it works. König also came with her relatives. “I’m fully vaccinated and feeling fantastic. I’d urge anyone who’s still hesitant to trust the sciences; these people know what they are doing. My aunt, who is 62, developed COVID-19 after getting her two jabs, and she didn’t experience any effects at all. It was just like the flu. Seeing her recovery convinced me that the vaccine works.”

Ntswaki Mokoena of Bidvest Prestige Cleaning Services also received her second jab. She said: “I am fully vaccinated and so happy. I’ve experienced no side effects whatsoever, and I encourage people to vaccinate; the vaccine is harmless. They should not listen to naysayers who haven’t even vaccinated.”

Calling on more people to vaccinate 

Sister Mathapelo Moloi, Chief Officer at the campus clinic, said the vaccination drive was a source of pride for the campus. “Our priority is to re-open the campus, so I’m very happy that we are seeing staff and students being willing to get vaccinated.”

“It’s not the first time that there has been hesitancy around the vaccine. Providing information is our priority – to help them understand the side effects and everything pertaining to the vaccine.”

Acting Director of Student Affairs on Qwaqwa Campus, Zakhele Mdluli, said vaccinations would help the university community get back to normal. “I encourage students to get vaccinated so that they are able to come back to campus knowing that everyone is safe. This vaccination is no different from the vaccinations we used to get when we were younger.”

The centre operates Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00. People can pre-register either online at https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za or via WhatsApp on +27 0 60 012 3456 and should bring along their identity documents. The site is open to anyone 18 years and older. They can simply walk in – no bookings are required.”

News Archive

Schoolgirl builds giant Gingerbread house for Children’s Wing Project
2015-11-13


Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS Marketing.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” These words rang true for Morgan Pelser from Bloemfontein when she fulfilled her wish on Tuesday 3 November 2015 at the launch of her ‘big and real’ Gingerbread house.

 

Pelser, 13, said she had the idea of building the gingerbread house over six months ago and began working tirelessly, raising funds for the project. She intends to donate the money raised from this initiative to the Children’s Wing Project at Pelonomi and Universitas Hospitals. It was back in Grade 4 when she had the opportunity to tour through the ICU, neonatal and paediatric wards of the two hospitals, that she saw the need for better equipment and facilities. Pelser hopes to raise R200 000 through the initiative.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Free State, said he was greatly humbled by the perseverance and passion shown by Morgan in executing her dream. “I work with children, so I know how resilient they are, but seeing this is amazing. We tend to give up so easily,” he said. He went on to say that the money will be greatly appreciated, as it will be used to provide health-care facilities for children at both hospitals.

 

The launch of the gingerbread house was a huge success. The house is currently outside Coco C at the Loch Logan Waterfront. Members of the public are encouraged to see and taste the giant house, where they can leave a message on the inside of the house. A minimum fee of R20 is requested.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS-Marketing.

Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

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