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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

Silence, secrets and the unsaid
2014-05-14

Since the 1960s, survivors and perpetrators of violence and mass atrocities have been urged to talk about their experiences. Increasingly, any reluctance to recall and give testimony of what happened is framed as pathological – a symptom of trauma.

Exploring the theme of ‘Silence after Violence’, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice will host a colloquium on our Bloemfontein Campus. Local and international academics will examine the role of silence, secrets and the unsaid in the aftermath of mass atrocities.

The details of this two-day colloquium:

Date: 22 – 23 May
Time: Thursday: 08:00 – 17:30 and Friday: 08:00 – 15:00
Place: Centenary Complex

Students, staff and the public is welcome to attend any of the sessions. For more details about the line-up, open the programme here, or contact the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice directly at +27(0)51 401 9808.

This colloquium is the next event hosted by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice in a year-long celebration of our country’s 20 years of democracy. The event is organised in collaboration with the University of Vermont, Carolyn & Leonard Miller Center for Holocaust Studies.

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