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GROW your own vegetables

24 August 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

UFS vegetable garden — A variety of vegetables, including beans, spinach, onions, and carrots, are sheltered in 40 vegetable boxes in the two 300 m² tunnels opposite the Welwitschia Residence on the Bloemfontein Campus.

At the University of the Free State (UFS), research findings have indicated that 59% of students do not know where their next meal will come from. The recent COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the unemployment rate of 34,9%, adding to the likelihood of our students being affected even more by food insecurity.

One of the initiatives the university has created to address the issue, is a vegetable production and training programme. The purpose of the programme, which was established by the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, KovsieACT, and the Food Environment Office, is to teach students how to produce vegetables.

A variety of vegetables, including beans, spinach, onions, and carrots, are sheltered in 40 vegetable boxes in the two 300 m² tunnels opposite the Welwitschia Residence on the Bloemfontein Campus. Not only is this initiative providing students with fresh produce that supplements the food parcels they receive from the Food Environment Office through the No Student Hungry Project. It also provides them with the opportunity to get involved on a voluntary basis in the food production process, including the planting and harvesting of the vegetables.

Food production is an important skill in growing one’s own food. Moreover, it is also a valuable skill for students to transfer to their communities back home.

From mid-August through to the end of October is planting season for a number of vegetables. Starting spring on a high note, the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, KovsieACT, and the Food Environment Office invited food security activist, Thabo Olivier, to address the university community and provide some valuable guidelines to grow your own food in innovative ways.

Date: Thursday 1 September 2022

Time: 13:00

Venue: Thakaneng Bridge

Invest in your future and join the event, which will include hands-on harvesting from the vegetables gardens as well as a food demonstration.

More information: Teddy Sibiya on SibiyaLT@ufs.ac.za at KovsieAct.

News Archive

Nominations awaited for UFS Alumni awards

2006-10-12

Nominations are awaited for the University of the Free State’s (UFS) annual Kovsie alumni awards, namely the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year, the Cum-Laude Award and the Alumni Award for Exceptional Service to the UFS.

The Kovsie Alumnus of the Year Award honours the outstanding achievements of a Kovsie alumnus on national or international level. Last year Mr Naka Drotské was appointed as Kovsie of the Year for the way in which he led the Cheetah Rugby Team.

The Cum Laude Award is occasionally bestowed on an alumnus for outstanding service or achievement on regional, national or international level in his/her field of work. Mr Harold Verster (President of the Free State Rugby Union) received the Cum Laude Award last year.

The Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the UFS is occasionally made to any person (not necessarily an alumnus) who delivered exceptional service to the university. The award was made last year to Prof Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law at the UFS.

A written nomination for the awards can be submitted by any alumnus. The nomination must be seconded by at least five other alumni and be accompanied by a comprehensive motivation and a brief curriculum vitae of the candidate. The candidate’s complete address and telephone number must also be provided.

Nominations can be submitted by post to Ms Annanda Fick or Mr Lucas Radebe, Alumni Awards, PO Box 2319, Bloemfontein, 9300 or faxed to (051) 401 3758. The closing date for submission of nominations is 3 November 2006. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Fick at (051) 401 3382 or Mr Radebe at (051) 401 3751.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
10 October 2006

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