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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

UFS takes 70 first-year students to the USA
2010-08-20

 
Mr Rudi Buys (middle, with tie) with some of the students selected for the F1 Programme
Photo: Gerhard Louw

The University of the Free State (UFS) has announced the names of the first ever group of 70 first-year students that will travel to the United States of America (USA) as part of the university’s Student Leadership Development Programme.

This group of students will spend two weeks at universities in the USA to experience student life and learn about leadership and diversity at these universities.

“This is a first for not only the UFS, but also for South Africa and we are incredibly proud. The programme is unique to any other student leadership development programme in the country. We are leading the way and are taking students to live and learn amongst students at various universities across the USA,” said Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS.

The programme was one of the goals of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, which he aimed to realise when he was appointed by the UFS in 2009.

“With the programme we want to develop participants’ thinking and capacity to lead in the contexts of diversity and change and we hope to direct them to programmes leading change in student life in general upon their return,” Mr Buys said.

The 70 students will leave for the USA on 22 September 2010. After spending some time there and learning more about their American peers’ lives and culture, they will return to the UFS on 7 October 2010.

“We took great care in selecting the 70 participants. They are representative of all our students, as well as students from our Qwaqwa Campus,” said Mr Buys.

A rigorous selection process was followed, which focused on the students’ academic excellence, their participation in student- and residence-life programmes and their interest in growing in the areas of, amongst others, leadership, diversity and citizenship. Each candidate had to undergo a pre-selection process, followed by a panel interview consisting of staff from various faculties and divisions at the UFS.

The students will stay in groups of about ten at the various universities, which include universities such as Cornell University, New York University, the University of Massachusetts, the Appalachian State University and Virginia Polytechnic University. “These universities will provide our students with accommodation and will present various academic and cultural programmes which our students will participate in and learn from,” said Mr Buys.

“We have also put a programme in place to prepare our students thoroughly for the trip. Because some of them have never travelled on an aeroplane, let alone travelled to a foreign country, we have made arrangements with the Department of Home Affairs for assistance with travel documentation, as well as special arrangements with the USA Embassy for assistance with visas. They will also be attending workshops focusing on, amongst others, research, leadership and diversity before their departure on 22 September 2010.

“Upon their arrival in the USA the group of students will firstly be taken to Washington DC where they will be briefed about American customs, etc. From there they will be placed at the various universities,” said Mr Buys.

Upon their return the students must be involved in student-life programmes on campus, establish volunteer programmes and initiate and establish mentoring programmes for their fellow students. “We want them to give back what they have learnt and experienced,” said Mr Buys.

“We are planning on implementing the Student Leadership Development Programme as an annual programme and are looking forward to this incredible programme through which this group of first-year students will have the opportunity of a lifetime to be true ambassadors of South Africa and, in particular, the UFS, as they leave for the USA,” he said.

Media Release:
Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za 
20 August 2010

 

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