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Education on the African continent focus of UFS #AfricaMonth celebrations

25 May 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Dries Myburgh

Africa Month celebration on the UFS South Campus — Attending the Africa Month celebrations on the UFS South Campus were, from the left: Temba Hlasho, Executive Director: Student Affairs; Thandeka Mosholi, Head: Social Responsibility, Enterprise, and Community Engagement; Prof Colin Chasi; Ms Zola Thamae; Prof Francis Petersen; Simphiwe Dube, South Campus SRC President; Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Director: Office for International Affairs; Poloko Masuelele; Nombulelo Shange, Lecturer in Sociology; and Bulelwa Moikwatlhai (seated), Office for International Affairs.

Amid great fanfare, colour, and song, the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) kicked off Africa Month in celebration of education on the African continent.

Delivering welcoming remarks on behalf of Dr Marinkie Madiope – the South Campus Principal – was Poloko Masuelele, Assistant Director heading the Curriculum Design and Development Unit on the South Campus. “The African continent is suffering a great deal of challenges, including the scourges of malnutrition and strained delivery of basic education. How revolutionary would it be if we could simultaneously eradicate these vices by formulating policies, mechanisms, and vehicles that would enable us to feed, heal, and teach our people? It is incumbent on us as thought leaders to take the lead in this significant enterprise.”

Bringing a government prospect, was Ms Zola Thamae, the Acting Director in the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. She stated that there is much that could be done to address challenges in Africa if the university and government take hands. She also urged students to read and educate themselves in order to change their background.

Searching for African solutions

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, delivered the keynote address. Focusing on the theme of Africa Month, he said when it comes to educational development, there is no other continent that has faced the same trials and challenges as ours. “But in the harsh crucible of history, character, tenacity, and a sense of ubuntu were forged, translating into an exciting, fertile breeding ground for new knowledge creation, independent thought, and innovation,” he added.

He quoted Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, who said, “Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our own story,” and added that over the past few decades, on many fronts and in many spheres – also in education – this is exactly what has been happening.

“We are actively searching for African solutions to African problems. The value we can offer is substantial,” he said.

Prof Petersen expressed confidence not only in Africa’s people, but also in what they are bringing to the table. “While Africa has established itself as an attractive investment destination, it is now more sought after for its people than for its physical assets. And its people have been driving exciting and encouraging developments in education.”

“In terms of Africa’s contribution to global knowledge, the world is slowly but surely acknowledging the abundant evidence of scientific innovation contributed by African scholars – not only at present, but since the earliest times.”

He also trusts that Africans have advanced considerably in decolonialising curricula. “Across our continent, African history, achievements, and discoveries have been absorbed into school curriculums, replacing a Eurocentric focus in education, and fulfilling the vision of Africans owning their own story. Most higher education institutions – the UFS included – have over the past decade or two also been engaged in a comprehensive, systematic process of decolonising our curricula – incorporating the knowledge created on our own continent in various study fields.”

Despite these encouraging milestones that education has reached in Africa, Prof Petersen is of the opinion that much remains to be done. “As custodians of higher education in Africa, and as part of the larger education sector, we have our work cut out for us,” he stated.

He believes that the unique point in time in which Africa finds itself presents an opportunity to completely reimagine the entire education landscape.

Collectively we will succeed

Also contributing some valuable input to the celebratory event, was Prof Lynette Jacobs, Associate Professor in the Department of Open and Distance Learning. She stated that one of the problems of colonial education is that it does not cultivate African self-esteem. Quoting President Julius Nyerere, she shared that “Education should not alienate students from their traditions but should rather make them appreciate themselves as Africans.”

According to her, Africans have lost the confidence to celebrate themselves in their African cultures and traditions within the formal education environment.

“Collectiveness, togetherness, dialogue, and being authentically human are what Africa brings to the world. The world has so much to learn from Africa,” she said and asked the audience, “Do you embrace who you are and are you proud to share it with the rest of the world?”

Representing the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice was Prof Colin Chasi. He emphasised the importance of working together to bring about positive change in Africa. “We enhance our capacity if we are working together. Collectively we will succeed; separately we will suffer a terrible fate,” he stated.

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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