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Taking the lead to positively impact the future of South African youth

30 May 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs

Gym instructor, homework centre owner, fashion designer, photographer. These are but some of the students who walked across the stage to receive their qualifications after completing an entrepreneurship programme on the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

The Department of Social Responsibility, Enterprise and Community Engagement on the South Campus recently hosted a ceremony for students in the short learning programme: Teacher Professional Development for Digital Mobile Learning, and Entrepreneurship for SMMEs.

According to Thakane Nteko from the Social Responsibility Projects (SRP), 40 of the 66 students enrolled for the qualification in lecture development completed it, together with the 10 students who registered for the entrepreneurship programme. The students are mainly university and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) lecturers and self-employed youth.

She says the department aims to enhance teaching and learning in the Free State, be it for school learners, schoolteachers, TVET college lecturers, or the youth. Key in this initiative is the UFS, in partnership with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and other organisations involved in community development, to make a positive difference in communities where there is a need.

Addressing social injustices
Positively impacting the youth of South Africa is of critical importance to the UFS. “Creating opportunities and growth through leading, learning, and teaching, is not only valid for the young intellectuals who have the chance to qualify themselves through tertiary studies. It is also applicable to the disadvantaged communities exposed to poor education. The UFS SRP serve as the vehicle to address this social injustice,” states Thandeka Mosholi, Head of the Department of Social Responsibility, Enterprise and Community Engagement.

She trusts that Social Responsibility Projects has established itself as a supporter of disadvantaged communities by responding to the call to positively impact the future of South African youth. “Our passion resonates with those who desire to open opportunities and bring purpose to gifted learners born in circumstances they did not choose, by being leaders in school change,” she says.

Destined for greatness
Delivering messages of encouragement at the event was KB Lebusho, CEO of the Free State Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Addressing the group of entrepreneurs, lecturers, and teachers, he told them that they are destined for greatness. “But until you believe in yourself, things will not change for you. It is important that you have clarity about your dreams and goals.”

Advocate Shirly Hyland, Director: Kovsie Phahamisa Academy, also left the students with a message of support. “By paying education forward, we can change the world. The power to touch the lives around you, lies in your hands. Enjoy taking the knowledge you have learned into your communities,” she said.

News Archive

Researcher works on finding practical solutions to plant diseases for farmers

2017-10-03

Lisa Ann Rothman, researcher in the Department of
Plant Sciences.
Photo: Supplied

Plant disease epidemics have wreaked havoc for many centuries. Notable examples are the devastating Great Famine in Ireland and the Witches of Salem.

Plant diseases form, due to a reaction to suitable environments, when a susceptible host and viable disease causal organism are present. If the interactions between these three factors are monitored over space and time the outcome has the ability to form a “simplification of reality”. This is more formally known as a plant disease model. Lisa Ann Rothman, a researcher in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) participated in the Three Minute Thesis competition in which she presented on Using mathematical models to predict plant disease.

Forecast models provide promise fighting plant diseases
The aim of Lisa’s study is to identify weather and other driving variables that interact with critical host growth stages and pathogens to favour disease incidence and severity, for future development of risk forecasting models. Lisa used the disease, sorghum grain mold, caused by colonisation of Fusarium graminearum, and concomitant mycotoxin production to illustrate the modelling process.

She said: “Internationally, forecasting models for many plant diseases exist and are applied commercially for important agricultural crops. The application of these models in a South African context has been limited, but provides promise for effective disease intervention technologies.

Contributing to the betterment of society
“My BSc Agric (Plant Pathology) undergraduate degree was completed in combination with Agrometeorology, agricultural weather science. I knew that I wanted to combine my love for weather science with my primary interest, Plant Pathology.
“My research is built on the statement of Lord Kelvin: ‘To measure is to know and if you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it’. Measuring the changes in plant disease epidemics allows for these models to be developed and ultimately provide practical solutions for our farmers. Plant disease prediction models have the potential ability to reduce the risk for famers, allowing the timing of fungicide applications to be optimised, thus protecting their yields and ultimately their livelihoods. I am continuing my studies in agriculture in the hope of contributing to the betterment of society.”

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