Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Months
January February March April July May June August September October November December
Previous Archive
25 August 2023 | Story Naledi Mokhasinyane | Photo Thandiswa Sihlezana
Tlotlisang Mhlambiso
Tlotlisang Mhlambiso with his new book, A Journey Worth the Ride.

Tlotlisang Mhlambiso, a University of the Free State (UFS) BEd student in his final year, wears multiple hats as an author, poet, and Teaching Assistant. And the 23-year-old’s literary prowess continues to grow: He launched his second book, a collection of short stories titled A Journey Worth the Ride, at the UFS Academy for Multilingualism recently. 

Hailing from Lugcadweni village in the Eastern Cape's Mount Fletcher (Tlokoeng), Mhlambiso self-published his debut poetry book, Ukuphuma Kwelanga, in 2020. His debut book received a public launch on 14 June 2023 at the UFS’s Sasol Library, and his second book was launched on 11 August.

Unveiling "A Journey Worth the Ride": iCAN Project hosts the remarkable launch

The launch of A Journey Worth the Ride was hosted by the iCAN Project, led by Mhlambiso's former lecturer Dr Peet van Aardt. Mhlambiso’s book delve into resilience, sorrow, and love. He was recognised by the National Youth Development Agency as 2023's Education Trailblazer. He says he hopes to battle illiteracy through his poetry and stories, which shone at the National Arts Festival and are preserved in the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. He has also co-authored an international journal spanning continents.

Inspired by an English teacher's introduction to the poem ‘Africa My Africa’ by David Diop, Mhlambiso started writing in primary school. “We are created differently; some are vocal, and some are not,” he says. “Being part of some that are not has made me opt for writing instead of constantly being vocal about issues and situations that some people go through.” University life sparked his passion for short stories, commencing with his submission of ‘Uthando Lukamama’ to the iCAN Project. 

Empowering through words: Mhlambiso's multifaceted literary mission

Mhlambiso explains he also uses writing to address unspoken societal issues, improve literacy levels, and preserve African languages. He captures contemporary stories, aligning with the iCAN Project's aim of decolonising curricula. He envisions fostering a more literate society through reading. “Dr Peet Van Aardt once said the project is a response from the centre for the ever-increasing need for decolonised curricula, steeped in the local cultural perspective of ubuntu, which is the iCAN Project, and A Journey Worth the Ride has exactly tapped into that, as it is a multilingual book,” he added.

He believes balancing academics and writing involves limited socialising and intensive reading. Creative writing masterclasses and workshops by the Academy for Multilingualism under the iCAN Project, and the UFS African Languages Press nourish his creativity. 

From dreams to community transformation: Mhlambiso's literary odyssey

Mhlambiso hails from an environment without libraries, and now he aims to transform his community through writing. His goal is to donate his works to schools, libraries, and book clubs, promoting literacy in native languages. His poetry and stories encourage collective change and emphasise youth action. 

His works relate strongly to the UFS’s Vision 130 and one of its component values, Innovation and Impact. His aims align with this vision through his engagements with local schools, libraries, and book clubs to confront their challenges. This includes addressing issues like the scarcity of books in native languages and contributing authored works to bridge this gap. 

As Mhlambiso's oft-repeated resounding call goes: "Let's embark on this journey; it is worth the ride!” 

News Archive

First-year students encouraged to attend UFS welcoming function
2005-01-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host a welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents on Saturday 15 January 2005 in the Callie Human Centre on the main campus in Bloemfontein.

The function starts at 11.00 and will be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie. UFS staff will also be available to provide vital information to first-year students on academic matters.

According to UFS Registrar, Mr Vernon Collett, Saturday’s welcoming function can assist students and parents by providing vital information on the many high quality academic learning programmes on offer at the UFS in six faculties.

“If students and parents have this information it will make the registration process which starts next week Monday 17 January much smoother,” Mr Collett said.

The UFS has split the registration process into various categories of students and Mr Collett appealed to all students to adhere to the dates and times which apply to them as a one-stop service will be available so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2004 to study at the Bloemfontein campus will take place from Monday 17 January 2005 to 21 January 2005 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 22 to 29 January 2005.

Postgraduate students, first time entering first year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2004 must register at the Callie Human from 31 January 2005 to 4 February 2005.

Due to the limitations placed by government on student numbers, the applications of students who applied late will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places became available.

Vista campus

The Vista campus in Bloemfontein – which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004 – no longer accepts applications from first-year students. Such prospective students had to apply to the UFS main campus.

Students who had been registered as Vista students last year must register at the Vista campus on the same dates as applicable on the main campus.

Qwaqwa Campus

At the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS, all first-time entering first-year students must report on 17 January 2005, after which the registration of these students will take place according to a specific programme.

The official welcoming functioning for new first-years at the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS will take place on Saturday 22 January 2005 at 11am in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa campus. As on the main campus, this function will also be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fourie.

Mr Collett appealed to first-year students who have applied to study at the Qwaqwa campus and their parents to attend this function which fulfills the same role as the one held on the Bloemfontein campus.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website: http://www.uovs.ac.za/content.php?cid=9

Prospective students may also call 051-401-3000 for more information.

    Media release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Media Representative
Cell: 072-207-8334

 


12 January 2005

 

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