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UFS position statement on xenophobia

12 April 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is deeply concerned about the continued xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in our country, specifically the actions of, and statements made by groups and individuals.

The UFS condemns all forms of xenophobic and Afrophobic actions and thinking and expresses its solidarity with the members of the university community hailing from other regions of the African continent and the world. The UFS is committed to promoting diversity, social justice, inclusivity, and transformation and is united in its diversity. As a university community, it cherishes diversity as a catalyst for positive change, innovative research, and cutting-edge teaching and learning. Xenophobic actions, threats, or statements will not be tolerated at the UFS. The UFS is committed to nurturing and entrenching a human-rights culture and advocating human rights, both within the context of the university and beyond.

Xenophobia, Afrophobia, and discrimination jeopardise the process of internationalisation at any university. It limits the international and multicultural exposure of our students, which is important to achieve graduate attributes and to specifically develop students’ international and intercultural competence. The UFS is strategically strengthening its collaborations and partnerships in Africa and beyond. It recognises the positive power of diversifying the knowledge paradigms with which it interacts. International staff members, postdoctoral fellows, and students make a significant contribution to the academic project, scholarship traditions, and intellectual diversity of the university.

The management of the UFS will do everything in its power to ensure the well-being of all members of its international university community.

Xenophobia is the ‘fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign’ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary), whereas Afrophobia can be understood as the ‘fear and hatred of the cultures and people of Africa’.

News Archive

2015 Varsity Cup Rugby gets going at UFS

2015-02-09

Kovsies! Are you ready?

It’s that time of the year again when Mondays mean rugby that rocks!

On Monday 9 February, the UFS Bloemfontein Campus will again be bustling with supporters as our Shimlas kick off their 2015 Varsity Cup rugby campaign against the University of Pretoria Tuks.

Students have already been made aware of Varsity Cup excitement during an activation event held at the Thakaneng Bridge on the Bloemfontein Campus on Wednesday 4 February. During this event, the Shimlas captain, AJ Coertzen, introduced his team while KovsieSport held promotional competitions.

New Shimlas coach, Franco Smith, is hoping to transfer his European coaching experience to the UFS first team as he heads into his debut Varsity Cup season. Smith previously held the head coach position at the Pro12 club, Benetton Treviso, between 2007 and 2013.

On the other hand, Tuks are likely to be very determined to bounce back in this year’s Varsity Cup season after missing out on the play-offs as defending champions in 2014.

Therefore, the Shimlas’ debut Varsity Cup match this year should be packed with excitement, thrills, and good old-fashioned running rugby to entertain the student population. Speaking of entertainment, there should be loads more of that happening next to the field during the half-time and strategy breaks.

So Kovsies, don’t miss the first of many great upcoming Shimlas home matches on Monday 9 February at 18:30, only at Shimla Park.

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