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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

Veritas and Marjolein take Sêr champion’s title

2015-08-11

Veritas
Photo: Johan Roux

Video clip
Facebook photo gallery

Following zealous performances during the rotations from 3-6 August 2015, Veritas and Marjolein made the cut to the finals, subsequently emerging as the Kovsie Kleinsêr (Sêr) 2015 champions.

This year’s Sêr had 10 male and 14 female residences competing for a limited number of places in the finals. With only five and six spots available, respectively, the competition was extremely tough.

The University of the Free State’s cultural calendar culminated in a taxing final battle on Saturday 8 August 2015, by courtesy of MacDonalds Bloemfontein. Veritas, Vishuis and Armentum from the male section as well as Marjolein, Sonnedou, and Roosmaryn contending as female counterparts sent a rhythmic ripple across the Bloemfontein Campus.

With these residences occupying the top three spots, adrenaline reached maximum levels as the groups competed for the crown and a place in the nationals. Spectators at the sold-out music event experienced world-class entertainment in all three venues: the Albert Wessels Auditorium, the Odeion, and the Kovsie Church.

On 29 August 2015, the champions are scheduled to test their strength against the universities of Pretoria, the North West, and Johannesburg at the nationals. The Stellenbosch University is to host this year’s Kleinsêr national competition, where the best will be crowned as South Africa’s Klêinser kings and queens.

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