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Kovsies Model UN Summit 2023: Shaping the Future of Diplomacy and Leadership

04 August 2023 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Supplied

KMUN 2023 — Young leaders unite! Fostering diplomacy and innovation – The Kovsies Model UN Summit 2023 shaped future global change makers!

The saying goes, ‘Leaders are born, not made,’ but what term do we use when more than 50 young individuals from various institutions gather to address and tackle many of our global socio-economic issues collectively?

The University of the Free State United Nations (UN) Chapter hosted the first of many Kovsies Model United Nations (KMUN) Summits – a simulation of the UN General Assembly (GA) – from 28 to 30 July 2023. The event brought together students from various institutions, including the University of Pretoria (UP), Wits, North-West University (NWU), as well as the UFS South and Qwaqwa campuses, who convened on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus for this prestigious gathering.

The students represented different countries and embarked on a comprehensive research project focused on the challenges faced by their respective nations and their progress in addressing them, which they had to present at the GA. Their investigations encompassed various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication, building partnerships, promoting quality education, and advancing gender equality. These efforts align perfectly with the university's Vision 130, which is dedicated to promoting academic excellence, fostering social impact, and embracing diversity.

Siphilangenkosi Dlamini, Executive Chair of the UN Association of South Africa’s UFS Chapter and Student Assistant in the UFS Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), said that the summit served as a platform to bring together young people and student leaders from participating institutions to address an array of issues as if they were leaders of different countries.

"Our objective was to create a platform where these young minds could participate in constructive dialogues, refine their diplomatic skills, and address urgent global challenges. The most remarkable aspect was observing the participants' passion and dedication. Witnessing them wholeheartedly embrace the principles of diplomacy and cooperation was genuinely uplifting.”

Moreover, the attendees expressed their appreciation for this prestigious event, as it provided them with invaluable information and insights into what the future holds for them.

Keoratile Moloto, a North-West University student who proudly represented Belize – a Central American country – emphasised that this unique experience provided him with a valuable opportunity to acquire knowledge. As a student leader, he believed that this knowledge could positively influence and inspire both those he served and those in leadership positions.

“This is a too exciting initiative to ignore as a young individual who aspires to improve the world. I have always envisioned a time where I can make a difference in a community. I am big on most SDGs and saw this opportunity as a stepping-stone to educate myself on the proceedings. It is an awesome experience to engage with these topics rather than just being a viewer.”

Students were encouraged to collaborate and be active observers of pressing issues that affect their future. Student Affairs Assistant Director, Motlogelwa Moema, also advised the delegates to approach the debates with an open mind, network, familiarise themselves with the SDGs, and develop sustainable, innovative solutions to these socio-economic challenges.

This summit proved to be an enriching and transformative experience for all participants. From engaging in diplomatic negotiations to tackling global issues, delegates developed crucial leadership skills, fostered diplomacy, and shaped the future of international relations. As delegates from prestigious universities came together, the discussions were diverse, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Undoubtedly, the KMUN Summit left a lasting impact on the delegates and contributed to developing future leaders who would make a positive difference on the global stage.

News Archive

Help to rural women to become entrepreneurs

2006-10-24

Some of the guests who attended the ceremony were, from the left: Mr Donray Malabie (Head of the Alexander Forbes Community Trust), Ms Jemina Mokgosi (one of the ladies from Tabane Village who is participating in the Women in Agriculture project), Dr Limakatso Moorosi (Head: Veterinary Services, Free State Department of Agriculture), Prof Johan Greyling (Head: UFS Department of Animal and Wildlife and Grassland Sciences) and Ms Khoboso Lehloenya (coordinator of the project from UFS Department of Animal and Wildlife and Grassland Sciences). Photo: Leonie Bolleurs\

Alexander Forbes and UFS help rural women to become entrepreneurs

Today, the Alexander Forbes Community Trust and the University of the Free State (UFS) joined forces to create an enabling environment for rural women to become players in the private sector.

Three years ago the UFS set up a unique small-scale household egg production project called Women in Agriculture in Thaba ‘Nchu as a pilot project. The project was officially launched today by Mr Donray Malabie, Head of the Alexander Forbes Community Trust.

The aim of the Women in Agriculture Project is to create jobs, provide food security and to help develop rural women into entrepreneurs. A total of 25 women based in Tabane Village in Thaba ‘Nchu are the beneficiaries of the project.

“This is the first project in the Free State the Alexander Forbes Community Trust is involved with. The project would help rural women acquire the skills they need to run their own egg-production business from their homes,” said Mr Malabie.

“The ongoing debate on the shortage of skills ignores the fact that people with little or no education at all also need training. This project is special to the Trust as it provides for the creation of sustainable jobs, food security and the transfer of much needed skills all at once, particularly at this level,” he said.

Every woman in the group started with two small mobile cages that housed 12 hens each. The units are low in cost, and made of commercially available welded mesh and a metal frame. Now, each woman has four cages with 48 hens. The group manages to collectively produce 750 eggs daily.

The eggs are currently sold to local businesses, including spaza shops and the women are using the income generated to look after their families and to further develop their business.

The Department of Animal and Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the UFS identified the project and did the initial research into the feasibility of setting up such a project.

“A demonstration and training unit has been established at the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre and the women attended a short practical training course. Subsidies are provided for feeding, together with all the material and the lay hens necessary for the start of the business,” said Ms Khoboso Lehloenya, coordinator of the project from the Department of Animal and Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the UFS.

“The advantage in using lay hens is that they are resistant to diseases and the women will not need electric heating systems for the egg production,” said Ms Lehloenya.

According to Ms Lehloenya, the women are already benefiting from their egg production businesses. “Some of them have used the profit to buy school uniforms and tracksuits for their children and others are now able to make a monthly contribution to their household expenses,” said Ms Lehloenya.
“In South Africa, possibly due to cultural reasons and circumstances, most black people prefer to eat older and tougher chickens, compared to younger soft commercially available broiler chickens. This preference creates a further advantage for the women. At the end of their production cycle, old hens can be sold for a higher price than point-of-lay or young hens. This brings in further money to pay for more hens,” said Ms Lehloenya.

The Alexander Forbes Trust contributed R191 000 towards the project aimed at expanding it to benefit 15 more women.

“We are in the process of recruiting an additional 15 women in Thaba ‘Nchu who will be trained by the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre in order to replicate the model and extend its reach”, said Ms Lehloenya.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za
20 October 2006

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