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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

Thebe Ikalafeng talks about the developing of a personal branding at a function of Kovsie Alumni
2007-04-18

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Kovsie Alumni presented a luncheon with Mr Thebe Ikalafeng, Chief Executive Officer of Brand Leadership as guest speaker. Mr Ikalafeng, who is an expert in branding, is the former executive director of Nike South Africa where he worked closely with amongst others Kaizer Chiefs and the Springbok Rugby Team. The topic of his discussion was: Developing a distinct brand aligned with your world, work and passions. Attending the luncheon were, from the left: Dr Ivan van Rooyen (Director of UFS Marketing), Ms Suzan Mshumpela (Deputy Director of UFS Marketing), Mr Ikalafeng and Prof. Niel Viljoen (Chief Director of Operations at the UFS).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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