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ASK – A StrangerKind – coming to the UFS

25 July 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli

From an early age, many have been taught that strangers are not only a danger to the individual, but to the communities too.

A StrangerKind (ASK), an organisation hosting unconventional conversations in communities on topics and responding to questions that many may not have the opportunity to ask, has partnered with the University of the Free State to host the talks that aims to promote curiosity, diversity, and social cohesion.

As part of the ASKcampus – a first to be hosted at any university in the country – participants will have an opportunity to talk to a stranger in a safe setting and ask any question that comes to mind, without any judgement.

Michelle Nöthling, Assistant Researcher in Kovsie Support Services, said: “The ASK event is an opportunity for participants to pick a topic from a list that sparks curiosity and book an available 45-minute time slot. During your session, you sit down to a one-on-one conversation with a stranger who will briefly introduce themselves and their topic. They will then share their personal life experience on that topic with you.”

The event, which will be launched at the Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus, on 28 July 2022, is open to both UFS staff and students.

“During the individual sessions, participants may ask the strangers anything about the chosen topic. We even encourage you to ask those questions that you might otherwise have been too shy, or felt were too ignorant, to ask. What is more, is that the strangers you will meet will be fellow UFS staff and students. But you will not know who your stranger is until you sit down with them,” said Michelle.

Individuals who want to know more about becoming a UFS stranger are encouraged to visit the organisation’s YouTube channel or register to attend training and become a ‘stranger’.

Be curious. Be brave. Talk to strangers.

Launch details:
Date: 28 July 2022
Time: 10:00-14:00
Venue: Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

Minister praises the Faculty of Law

2009-02-13

At the launch of the Faculty of Law at the UFS's celebration of 100 years of jurisprudence, under the theme "Iurisprudentia 100", were, from the left: Judge Faan Hancke, Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Criminal and Medical Law and Chairperson of the UFS Council, Judge Lex Mpati, President of the Highest Court of Appeal, Mr Surty, Judge Hendrik Musi, Judge President of the High Court of the Free State, and Prof. Henning.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Enver Surty, has praised the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) for producing lawyers, academics, judges, etc. of great note.

Mr Surty was guest speaker this week on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein at the launch of the faculty’s celebration of a century of excellence in legal education, training and research at the UFS. The theme of the celebration is “Iurisprudentia 100”.

“The faculty has throughout its existence demonstrated its capability and capacity to produce scholars, legal practitioners, academics, judges, politicians etc, of great note. The university can take pride in the fact that, as an institution, you have done so well,” said Mr Surty.

Mr Surty said that our judiciary must be adequately qualified and it must be representative of our nation. “We must therefore have more aspiring judges in our midst and we must have a more representative judiciary – in race and gender. This is where an institution like the UFS can play an important role,” said Mr Surty.

Mr Surty also commented on the university’s engagement with its communities.
“The UFS has begun to recognise the importance of community engagement. Unless community engagement is part of your curricular activity we would not be able to produce the judges of the caliber we need who are better able to understand the social and economic context of our society,” he said.

According to Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS, the faculty has a distinguished history of excellence in theoretical and practical legal education and training, which can be traced as far back as the establishment of the Grey University College in 1904.

Over the years, student numbers grew considerably and today the faculty has over 2 700 graduate and postgraduate students.

“The faculty prides itself on the fact that some of its students and lecturers went on to hold some of the highest offices in the country. Under its alumni are state presidents, ministers of state, administrators, judges of appeal, judges, rectors, professors and lecturers at the UFS as well as at other universities, advocates, attorneys and legal advisors – in private practice as well as in government,” said Prof. Henning.

The faculty’s “Iurisprudentia 100” celebrations will take place throughout the year with activities such as breakfasts for the various alumni groups of the faculty and a series of inaugural lectures. Cum Laude awards will also be
handed to Judge Lex Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and Judge Louis Harms, Deputy President of the Supreme Court Appeal. The celebrations will be concluded in November with a prestige dinner.

Celebration programme:

26 February 2009: Visit by Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia),
13 March 2009: Breakfast for all candidate attorneys
18 March 2009: Breakfast for judges and Cum Laude awards
15 May 2009: Breakfast for labour law certificate alumni
11 September 2009: Breakfast for diploma alumni (CFP)
16 October 2009: Breakfast for attorneys and advocates
9-12 November 2009: Inaugural and public lectures
13 November 2009: Centenary dinner

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
18 February 2009

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