Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Global Citizen Webinar: A conversation with Judge Albie Sachs

12 October 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

Constitutional Democracy, Corruption, and Leadership – Where to South Africa?

The University of the Free State (UFS) and the South African Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (SACC UK) are pleased to present a discussion on the state of South Africa through the lens of its constitution, its educators, and its state of corruption. As part of the Global Citizen Webinar Series, world-renowned leading legal expert, Judge Albert ‘Albie’ Sachs, will join UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, and SACC UK Chairperson, Sharon Constancon, in a conversation on the notion of a constitutional democracy, and what role the law, and universities as educators of leaders play, and should play, in addressing corruption. The discussion will explore approaches to leverage the strengths and potential still inherent among South Africans and its international diaspora, to set the country on a promising trajectory and regain much-needed confidence.

Date: Tuesday 18 October 2022

Time: 12:00-13:00 BST / 13:00-14:00 SAST

RSVP: https://southafricanchamber.co.uk/event/events.php?eid=821

Biography of Justice Albie Sachs

Former Constitutional Court Judge, anti-apartheid activist and writer, Justice Albie Sachs worked tirelessly as an African National Congress activist to end apartheid, sustaining debilitating personal injury in the process. He was a key player in writing the Constitution of South Africa – one of the most progressive in the world, and one that met with high acclaim internationally when it took effect on 4 February 1997. Human rights and the separation between the judiciary and parliament were given high prominence, heralding the opportunity to create – through the checks and balances inherent in government by constitutional democracy – a robust and flourishing state. Justice Sachs is the author of several books, including The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, Justice in South Africa, Sexism and the Law, The Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter, and The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law. His latest books are We, the People: Insights of an activist judge (2016) and Oliver Tambo’s Dream (2017). Justice Sachs is a board member of the Constitution Hill Trust, which promotes constitutionalism and the rule of law, and he continues to share the experiences of South Africa with a view to building divided societies. Justice Sachs is the recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pursuit of Justice from the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

News Archive

UFS offers bursaries for interpreters

2005-12-01

The Unit for Language Management (previously Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment) at the University of the Free State (UFS) is offering bursaries to persons who want to apply for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) for 2006.

The Unit was involved in the setting up of a comprehensive interpreting infrastructure at the Free State Legislature and provided the interpreting services for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the latter’s full duration.

“The UFS supports a multilingual society. Our language policy, which was approved by the Council in 2003, is a striking example. This policy is in accordance with the national movement towards multilingualism and the recognition of language rights. Through the training of interpreters the UFS is empowering others to exercise their language rights and to partake meaningfully in formal conversations,“ said Prof Theo du Plessis, head of the UFS Unit for Language Management (ULM).

“The UFS has been using interpreter services at executive management meetings and other occasions such as meetings, seminars and conferences for several years. The demand for these services has risen quite considerably. We have found that the current three interpreters on the Main Campus will soon not be able to cope with this demand,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis institutions like the Mangaung Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality use the interpreter services of the ULM on a regular basis.
“Because the demand for interpreter services is becoming so great, the demand for trained interpreters is also increasing. This is why we are offering bursaries for persons who want to be trained as interpreters to register in 2006 for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) as offered by the UFS Department of Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis the UFS will be able to use these students on an ad-hoc basis to assist with interpreter services on the Main Campus or to deliver interpreter services to institutions outside the UFS.

The bursaries will preferably be awarded to persons with English as mother tongue with an above average knowledge of Afrikaans or Sesotho. The duration of the bursaries is one year and only tuition fees will be paid. “To qualify for the bursaries, prospective students must have an undergraduate qualification,” said Prof du Plessis.

The closing date for applications is 25 January 2006. For any enquiries, Mrs Susan Lombaard can be contacted at (051) 401-2405 or 072 605 4966 during office hours or at lombasc.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
1 December 2005

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept