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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

Full week of graduation ceremonies at UFS in April

2015-04-10

Autumn always sees the UFS’s first graduation ceremony of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus.

From 14 – 17 April 2015, graduates will once again be rewarded for their hard work while top speakers will address them in the Callie Human Centre. There will be a ceremony at 09:00 and at 14:30 each day on all four days of the graduation.

The programme for the 2015 April Graduation is as follows:

Tuesday 14 April 2015:

Professor Himla Soodyall will be the speaker at both ceremonies on this day. Prof Soodyall is a Medical Scientist for the South African Institute for Medical Research. She is also a Principal Medical Scientist for the National Health Laboratory Service, and a Director for the Human Genome Diversity and Disease Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand.

During the first ceremony of the day at 09:00, all diplomas/certificates and B degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded. Only Honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Wednesday 15 April 2015:

Wednesday will see Ndumiso Hadebe take the stage to address graduates at both ceremonies.

At the age of 23, Hadebe is the Founder and Managing Director of Master Frontiers Consulting, a firm that capacitates leaders and managers to achieve business goals through their people. He worked previously as a Researcher at Shanduka Black Umbrellas, a flagship enterprise and supplier development programme of the Shanduka Foundation.

He has been received numerous awards for excellence in leadership, such as the Sedibeng District Municipal Mayor’s Award for Service and Leadership. He is a Brand South Africa Ambassador and Read Educational Trust Ambassador.

All diplomas/certificates, B and Honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, except B Com degrees, will be awarded during the morning ceremony at 09:00. Later, at the 14:30 ceremony, only B Com degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will be awarded.

Thursday 16 April 2015:

Multiple award winning South African TV presenter, Leanne Manas, will be the speaker at both Thursday ceremonies.

Manas has graced our screens for over a decade. Not many broadcasters can boast having had live TV experience, 5 days a week for 12 years. She is currently the anchor of SABC 2’s flagship breakfast programme, Morning Live. Leanne is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher. having studied at London Trinity College. She also has an Honours degree in English.
Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication Sciences will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. The 14:30 ceremony will have diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities’ other qualifications except for Social Sciences and Communication Sciences.

Friday 17 April 2015:

Dr Maria Phalime will be the speaker at both ceremonies on Friday.

Phalime is a medical doctor and award-winning author. She practiced for a brief period as a general practitioner in South Africa and the United Kingdom, before leaving medical practice to pursue non-clinical interests. She has worked in trade and investment promotion, and has undertaken research and consulting in the areas of economic development and business facilitation.

Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of Education (CE, NPDE and ACE excluded) will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, and Theology will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Click here for the simple layout of the 2015 April Graduation programme:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/2014-graduation-ceremony/graduation-ceremony

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