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16 February 2022 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Sonia Small
Nico Janse van Rensburg
Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director: University Estates, and recipient of the UFS Council Medal.

At a meeting held on 26 November 2021, the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the awarding of the UFS Council Medal for outstanding service to Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director: University Estates.

 

Building our campuses

Janse van Rensburg completed a BSc Quantity Surveying degree at the UFS in 1989 before joining the institution’s then Department of Physical Planning in 2004, after an impressive career as quantity surveyor. In 2012, he was appointed Senior Director: University Estates, continuously adding value to the infrastructure of our three campuses – totalling more than 500 000 m2 – as well as experimental farms and off-campus entities of more than 1 000 ha.

He has a persistent green approach that not only reduces the UFS’ carbon footprint, but also saves the institution millions of rands in energy savings and maintenance. Indigenous and waterwise gardens greet staff, students, and visitors to all our campuses, while being housed in well-maintained buildings. All newly built facilities on our campuses are based on green building principles, while an overall optimal building management system ensures efficient energy management.

 

Mentorship and skills transfer

University Estates, through its procurement management and the leadership of Janse van Rensburg, is also one of the main drivers behind the UFS’ BBBEE scorecard. He initiated a mentoring and skills transfer strategy by means of joint project appointments, enabling previously disadvantaged firms to eventually be appointed independently for similar projects.

To ensure, among others, aesthetically pleasing buildings that offer value for money, Janse van Rensburg and his team have developed a series of technical manuals that outline material specifications and expectations. Since 2012, he has been instrumental in more than 1 000 projects at the UFS.

The university recognises and commends Janse van Rensburg’s indispensable contribution to creating inclusive and quality spaces on our campuses, where staff, students, and visitors can experience our culture of care. His motto is clearly visible in all the projects he completes: Get things done – within time, budget, quality standards, expectations, and user satisfaction.

“It is an immense privilege to be leading the University Estates team, and I am humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious medal. University Estates is all about teamwork, and an award such as this can only be possible through the commitment, dedication, and support of a very capable team, as well as colleagues throughout the UFS. I would also like to thank our very capable leaders, such as Prof Prakash Naidoo, Vice-Rector: Operations, for his support and guidance. I have learnt a lot on this journey and a lot remains to be learnt. All of this could only be achieved with help that goes beyond one’s own strengths and abilities,” said Janse van Rensburg.”

 

Get things done – within time, budget, quality standards, expectations, and user satisfaction.

The Council Medal will be presented to Janse van Rensburg during a graduation ceremony in 2022.

 

News Archive

Reverend Frank Chikane honours ‘Oom Bey’ at second Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture for 2012
2012-09-11

Rev. Frank Chikane and Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett
10 September 2012

The 9th Beyers Naude Memorial Lecture, a partnership initiative between the University of the Free State (UFS) and Kagiso Trust, was held on the South Campus of the university last week. The theme of the lecture focused on Collaborative partnership for social cohesion: Building of a nation with ethics.

Guest speaker, Reverend Frank Chikane, is a member of the UDF, ANC, Director-General in the Office of the President and a board member of Kagiso Trust.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane focused on the first 45 years in the life of Beyers Naudé, sketching a picture of a man who lived for what he believes in. When this former minister of the South African Dutch Reformed Church and member of the Broederbond, decided to question the morality of the Apartheid government after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, he made some changes in his beliefs and started to play a big role in the struggle against apartheid.

“If one know about ‘Oom Bey’s’ earlier life, you will see how radical his contribution was in turning South Africa from a country on the brink of destruction to a country of peace. ‘Oom Bey’ must be seen as a role model, someone we can aspire to be in South Africa today,” Rev. Chikane said.

“From his legacy one sees elements of someone building a nation with ethics.

“He took sides with the poor against an unjust system. Power breaks cohesion. It makes people not to think,” Rev. Chikane said.

If Afrikaners and black people stood together after the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), we would have talked a different language today. However, they did not. Afrikaners stood together, excluding black people and cohesion between all races was destructed. ‘Oom Bey’ tried to build relationships between people from all races in South Africa in an effort to create peace amongst all people. He was alienated from the Broederbond and defrockedrom the church.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane also said that South Africa did not succeed in collaborative partnerships in terms of the economy. “We need collaborative action to change our economy. This specific failure can destroy all that we have built together.”

“All South Africans can be like ‘Oom Bey” and make a contribution, especially in terms of the economy. To deal with this challenge, we can all contribute. This is important because due to a poor economy, many people are desperate and desperate people can destroy any relationship that we might have built so far.”

At this event, the university and Kagiso Trust also announced the winners of a poetry and essay competition that coincided with this last Beyers Naudé lecture for 2012. The award ceremony looked at the creativity of the learners, how they expressed themselves as well as the novelty of their work. Students as well as learners from schools in the Free State participated in the competition and first, second and third place winners received cash prizes as well as a book from Rev. Frank Chikane for their brilliant work.
 

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