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11 July 2022 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Stephen Collett
Jacques Nienaber and Prof Francis Petersen
Welcome home, coach. Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), met with the current Springbok coach and UFS alumnus, Jacques Nienaber, at the team’s hotel in Bloemfontein on Sunday (10 July 2022). 

Prof Petersen showed his support for the Springboks and Nienaber during the meet-and-greet. The Springboks were narrowly beaten by Wales (13-12) on Saturday. This was Nienaber’s first time back in Bloemfontein after taking over in 2020 as head coach of the Springboks from Rassie Erasmus, who is also an alumnus of the UFS. 

“Kovsies has been a leading institution in shaping and producing sports stars and administrators in various sporting codes, including rugby. We are proud of Jacques and wish him all the best with the important role as Springbok head coach,” says Prof Petersen.

Nienaber was born in Welkom and attended school at Grey College in Bloemfontein before studying at the UFS. He was previously also a physiotherapist for the Cheetahs rugby team.

News Archive

UFS works closely with employees in the post-Reitz settlement process
2013-05-20

20 May 2013

In the light of an article in IOL News on 18 and 19 May 2013 and in Sunday Independent and Sunday Tribune on 19 May 2013 in which it is alleged that the University of the Free State (UFS) has failed to honour its commitment to the five Reitz employees we are pleased to report on the ongoing process and progress made with respect to their employment.

The university remained consistently true to the settlement agreement and High Court order of 2011 and cannot apologise for complying with the law. It was therefore impossible for us to talk to our colleagues directly until last week when we had a breakthrough meeting, which was cleared by the Human Rights Commission (HRC), and matters were resolved.

The UFS continues to work closely and now directly with the five employees to ensure that their rights as employees remain the highest priority in the post-settlement process.
 
All but one of the conditions of the Reitz settlement (own business) has already been met; however, we are in the process of providing training and support for the establishment of an independent business led by the employees.

After some delays, and frustration on all sides, we have found the right training provider for them and are satisfied that the process remains on track. The business office (furnished) has been allocated at the South Campus in Bloemfontein.

Already in late 2012 the Chair of the HRC expressed his satisfaction with the commitments made by the university to the process. By 30 June 2013 this outstanding commitment to establish an independent company with trained employees would also have been met in full.

Beyond the settlement agreement, the UFS has also committed to providing free education and training to the children of the employees so that their next generation of families emerge as strong, independent, well-trained and productive members of society. The child of one of the colleagues is in fact finishing Grade 12 this year and we are in discussion about possible studies at the UFS. This is our pledge and commitment as a university.

This final step in the post-Reitz settlement is being led by Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector of the University of the Free State.

 

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director Strategic Communication
Tel: +27 (0) 51 401 2584 / +27 (0) 83 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 (0) 51 444 6393
Web: www.ufs.ac.za

 

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