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Fighting Food Insecurity at the University of the Free State

10 March 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Unsplash

Food security — The No Student Hungry team gearing up to start distributing food parcels to the selected students.

The UFS is one of the many institutions of higher learning where food insecurity is an active issue. However, the No Student Hungry Programme is one of the initiatives launched at the university to assist in fighting food insecurity at the institution.

The purpose of the programme

Since its inception in 2011, the initiative has assisted many students in acquiring a healthy meal. Additionally, the Food Environment Office also hands out food packages, so that students can continue to achieve academically. “We are trying to develop a healthy environment for students and make it easier for them to have a nice and healthy meal,” stated Annelize Visagie, who heads the Food Environment Office at the UFS. The Food Environment programme is spread out on all three campuses, each with its own facilitators. Furthermore, the programme mainly caters for students who are not funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but who are excelling academically. The abovementioned students apply for assistance online, and a list is then drawn up of students who receive assistance for the year.

Alternative solutions to keep the initiative running

On the Bloemfontein Campus, the No Student Hungry Programme will be catering for 200 students in the 2022 academic year, assisting them with a daily nutritious meal. Additional food parcels are also handed out to provide further assistance. “We give food parcels to the students on the list every Tuesday and Thursday at the Thakaneng Bridge,” Visagie highlighted. However, she argues that catering for the student population through this programme can be a challenge, as the demand for assistance is growing rapidly and the ability to assist is limited. The programme relies on partnerships and sponsors to assist the student body. In fact, the coordinators of the programme currently have a memorandum of understanding with Tiger Brands according to which they deliver around 100 food parcels for distribution.

In addition, the coordinators have put in place alternative measures to ensure that they can provide more food to students. “The Kovsie Act Office, in partnership with the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, has started a food garden where healthy and nutritious produce are grown, in order to add value to the distribution,” she indicated. Although the programme can only assist to a point, students who are in desperate need of assistance are never turned away. In fact, the Social Support Unit at Thakaneng Bridge usually assists students with food vouchers for a maximum of four days.

A commitment to teaching healthy eating habits

The programme is not only committed to curbing food insecurity, but also to ensuring that students have a healthy and balanced diet. As such, a booklet is being issued by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in collaboration with the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, which contains ways in which students can make a healthy meal using some of the ingredients offered in the food parcels.

“We want to teach students how to eat healthy in the cheapest way, because they don’t have a lot of money to buy expensive food products,” Visagie argued.

News Archive

2015/2016 SRC candidates announced

2015-08-19

Ledimo Nthejane, Independent Electoral Commission Provincial Manager, announcing the contenders for SRC elections at the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Congratulations to the successful 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominees. We wish you all the best with your campaigning.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been appointed by the UFS to take responsibility for the operational aspects of the upcoming SRC elections on the Bloemfontein campus. Their involvement spans over the period from the nomination process up to the announcement of the election results on 3 September 2015.

Bloemfontein Campus:

Edward de Wet (President)
Lindokuhle Ntuli (President)
Mpho Khati (Vice-President)
Nigel Marchall Masalla (Vice-President)
Nicola King (First-generation students)
Brand Louw (First-generation students)
Dineo Khotso Mashile (Transformation)
Katleho Mmolayeng Letube (Transformation)
Jeanne-Mari McDonald (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Lesley-Anne Terblanche (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Luke Harrold Small (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Nomathamsanqa Nomvula Kraai (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Victor Sejane (Student Accessibility)
Sam-Maree Rooi (Student Accessibility)
Rememberance Rohula Kgabu (Student Accessibility)
Delia Moumakwe (Culture)
Mohau Moses Lesebo (Culture)
Kabelo Elijah Noosi (Sport)
Neo Gift Thebe (Sport)
Peo Morwesi Segano (Media and Marketing)
Gali Moticoe (Media and Marketing)
Mafelleng Itumeleng Matla (Student Development and Environment)
Karabo Pheko (Student Development and Environment)
Shaun Grobler (Treasurer)
Cornel Vermaak (Treasurer)
Katleho Masheane (Treasurer)
Thulani Babeli (Treasurer)
Nothando Hlophe (Secretary)
Tsietso Mafaso (Secretary)
Mihlali Matanzima (Secretary)

Qwaqwa Campus:

Tseko Masoeu (President)
Ntokozo Mbele (President)
Paseka Sikhosane (President)
Ntandoyenkosi Mndebele (President)
Zethu Mhlongo (Deputy President)
Limpho Mape (Deputy President)
Mpho Pooe (Deputy President)
Langelihle Mzobe (Deputy President)
Bannetse Mokhatla (Secretary General)
Londiwe Shezi (Secretary General)
Nondumiso Langa (Secretary General)
Palesa Selepe (Treasurer General)
Sabelo Vilakazi (Treasurer General)
Sinenhlanhla Mfeka (Treasurer General)
Solomuzi Khathi (Treasurer General)
Busisiwe Nkosi (Politics and Transformation)
Banele Mndwaweni (Politics and Transformation)
Nthabiseng Mokoena (Politics and Transformation)
Sibusiso Nyambose (Media and Publicity)
Nonkululeko Shabalala (Media and Publicity)
Khulani Mhlongo (Media and Publicity)
Bongiwe Buthelezi (Media and Publicity)
Nhlanhla Shabalala (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Thulane Dubazane (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Lindokuhle Ngubane (Student Development & Environmental Affairs)

Nominations for the Secretary and Treasurer portfolios are still open until 12:00 noon on Friday 21 August 2015.

Important dates to note:

18 August 2015 - Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus campaigning commences

27 August 2015 - Qwaqwa campaigning ends

30 August 2015 - Bloemfontein campaigning ends

28 August 2015 - Qwaqwa Election Day

31 August 2015 - Bloemfontein Election Day

1 September 2015 - Qwaqwa SR handover and establishment sitting

4 September 2015 - Bloemfontein SRC handover and establishment sitting

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