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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

Ford foundation funds higher education redesign
2005-06-23

 

The Ford Foundation has pledged a grant of almost R280 000 for redesigning higher education delivery at three campuses in the Free State.

According to Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS), the three campuses that will be affected by the strategic reconfiguration of higher education delivery are the Qwaqwa campus at Phuthaditjhaba and the Vista campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein and the Welkom campus of the Central University of Technology (CUT).

Prof Fourie says the three campuses were all affected by the restructuring of higher education, in line with the National Plan for Higher Education.

The Qwaqwa campus of the UFS that was part of the former University of the North was incorporated into the UFS in January 2003.  Likewise the Bloemfontein campus of the former Vista University was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004.

The Welkom campus of the CUT was also part of the former Vista University and was incorporated into the CUT in January 2004.

“These incorporations pose a challenge in that we have to think creatively about the best ways of using these three campuses to service the higher education, training, skills development and human resource needs of the Free State,” Prof Fourie said.

“The grant from the Ford Foundation will primarily be used to draw up strategic funding proposals for the three campuses.  The Qwaqwa campus of the UFS is a priority to us given the poverty and unemployment in a largely rural area of the Free State,” said Prof Fourie.

“A detailed consultation process will be undertaken in the Qwaqwa campus sub-region which will hopefully result in a comprehensive and a coherent suite of higher education activities being established on this campus,” said Prof Fourie.

“It is envisaged that the Qwaqwa campus will become a centre of excellence in the area of rural development.  This vision is based on a focused integration of the core functions of a university – teaching, research, and community service – around the issue of rural development,” said Prof Fourie.

Prof Fourie said that various educational offerings including among others short courses, bridging and foundation programmes, and degrees could be offered, with a particular focus on providing courses of relevance to students from the local rural community and students from elsewhere with an interest in focusing on rural development studies.

She said the redesign of the three affected campuses is being managed as a project of the Free State Higher Education Consortium (FSHEC) consisting of all the higher education institutions operating in the Free State.

“The aim of the project is to establish how the Qwaqwa and Vista campuses of the UFS and the Welkom campus of the CUT can be used effectively to meet regional education and training needs, to serve the strategic priorities of the two higher education institutions and contribute to the sustainable development and poverty alleviation of the region,” she said.

The planning for the Vista campus of the UFS is still in an early stage.  “We are looking at the possibility of developing this campus into a hub of education and training opportunities for Bloemfontein and Free State region.  Further plans will be communicated later in the year,” said Prof Fourie.

Media release

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

23 June 2005
 

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