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Qwaqwa Campus in-person graduations a traditional affair worth remembering

04 May 2022 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Ian van Straaten

Qwaqwa Campus Graduation — Graduations on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus are known for its unique traditional flair, and during the first in-person two-day graduation ceremonies in two years – which were held on 29 and 30 April – the ecstatic graduates did not disappoint.

Graduations on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus are known for its unique traditional flair, and during the first in-person two-day graduation ceremonies in two years – which were held on 29 and 30 April – the ecstatic graduates did not disappoint.

The campus was abuzz with excitement and activity from droves of students, accompanied by proud parents and loved ones; but it was inside the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall that the pride brought about by graduations was witnessed.

One thousand six hundred and fifty-seven qualifications were awarded during the two-day ceremonies. As they walked across the stage to receive their qualifications, graduates ululated, chanted, and whipped out various forms of traditional dancing in celebration of their degrees. Male and female graduates could be seen beshaya indlamu (Zulu dance) or whipping out modern dancing styles as they strutted across the stage.

Joining the excited graduates, were the former Deputy Chief Justice and justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Dikgang Moseneke, and Ms Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, who were awarded honorary doctorates during the two-day celebrations. Justice Moseneke received his honorary doctorate on 29 April, and Ms Byanyima on 30 April.

All four ceremonies can simply be described as a befitting celebration of the University of the Free State’s first in-person graduations in almost two years. After sixteen ceremonies, the UFS wishes to congratulate our new graduates who received qualifications in ceremonies on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses this month. We would like to say – Thank you for allowing us the honour to recognise your contribution to our society.

News Archive

Deaf Awareness Month empowers the hearing impaired

2015-09-21

There are more sign languages in the world than spoken languages. About 600 000 deaf South Africans have the South African Sign Language (SASL) as their first language. There are about 40 schools for the deaf in South Africa. 90% of all deaf children are born to hearing parents. Only about 30% of speech is visible on the lips.

How many of these fundamental facts did you know?

Deaf Awareness Month serves to educate hearing communities about issues that the deaf population face on a daily basis, as well as to honour the history and culture of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. For the past 70 years, the University of the Free State (UFS) has dedicated September to hosting events around the topic of hearing impairment.

The theme of ‘With South African Sign Language rights, our children can!’

This year’s theme had learners from Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind, hearing impaired UFS students, and Prof Jonathan Jansen engaged in a conversation around empowerment at a picnic held on Monday 7 September 2015 at the Red Square on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Through a sign language interpreter, Matshela, a grade 12 learner, explained that he felt empowered by the efforts the university has made to embrace and empower individuals with disabilities. He then revealed his intentions of pursuing Information Technology or Social Work studies at Kovsies.

Clifford Machete, a first-year Administration student at the university, stated how sign language interpreters gave him an ‘I can’ attitude when he first arrived at university. “As a deaf person, I see that I am able to learn with the help of sign language interpreters. There is accessibility at the university, and I am so proud to be a student here and part of Deaf Awareness Month.”

Susan Lombaard, Lecturer and Acting Chairperson at the Department of South African Sign Language, believes that Deaf Awareness Month is about promoting human dignity.

“We want to show the world that deaf people can do everything, and that their language is as strong and important as any spoken language.”

For more information regarding Deaf Awareness Month activities, contact the South African Sign Language Department on 051 401 2251.

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