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15 September 2022 | Story Gerda-Marié van Rooyen | Photo Supplied
Lisa Msiza
Lisa Nondumiso Msiza is the first Deaf person from the UFS to receive the prestigious Abe Bailey travel bursary.

Lisa Nondumiso Msiza is the first Deaf person from the UFS to receive the prestigious Abe Bailey Travel Bursary. This second-year student in Linguistics and Sign Language will visit the UK for three weeks, starting late November. Charity Morrison of the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) will accompany her to interpret for her.

“I want to show through action that Deaf people can do anything. We have the required skills; we can read and write too – just like hearing people can. I would also like to make people aware that the UFS has the facilities to accommodate Deaf people,” says Lisa. Currently, 12 Deaf students are enrolled at this tertiary institution. 

This born Johannesburger’s passion for teaching and facilitating Sign Language is contagious. “I want to observe different businesses and programmes in the UK in order to learn how to start projects and develop myself and my community as Deaf people get limited opportunities. I want to teach people on the use, culture and history of Sign Language.” 

Lisa describes herself as a kind, understanding, and loving person. As she was born deaf, Sign Language is her home language. Her parents, however, are Zulu and Ndebele speaking. She says that, although Sign Language is different in every language, she quickly adapts and communicates in it as soon as she grasps the structure of the new language.

Being named top achiever (learner) for the 2020 matric class and being crowned in fifth position at the World Deaf Model 2021, Lisa is proof that beauty and brains can co-exist. 

“I am passionate about being a teacher, facilitator, or lecturer. I enjoy teaching others sign language so we can communicate more effectively. I love Sign Language and I am always trying to inform people on the importance of learning about Deaf people and to help others understand the nature of language and communication.” 

Her future dreams include becoming a lecturer at the UFS or to continue her studies abroad, but only to gain insight and benefit her community. “I want our country to prosper and would like to have every news bulletin interpreted for the Deaf.”

News Archive

Student performers dazzle at Kovsie Extravaganza
2014-10-01

The Kovsie Extravaganza is an annual highlight on our university’s Arts and Culture calendar. The event offers outstanding Kovsie artists the opportunity to showcase their talent in music, dance and poetry – to name but a few – live on stage. The Sand d u Plessis theatre in Bloemfontein was packed to capacity for this highly-anticipated performance on 27 September 2014.

With the multi-award winning a cappella trio, The Soil, and Kovsie Idol Delia Moumakwe included in the line-up, tickets were already sold out nine hours before the show.

But the Kovsie acts by no means paled in comparison to these stars. In addition, the Free State Youth Orchestra – which includes some of the most talented students at our Odeion School of Music – provided an inspired performance.

This full production had the crowd dancing, cheering and clapping throughout the ecvent. The size and reaction of the audience was firm proof of the Kovsie Extravaganza’s growing popularity.

Speaking to Ntsika Ngxanga, a member of The Soil, he said that they were truly blessed to have made it this far in the music industry. Growing up in Soweto in difficult circumstances, the trio is now performing on stages across the globe. “We thank the UFS for their support towards the extravaganza. We definitely wish the student community all the best with their studies. Education is important,” Ngxanga said.

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