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08 August 2023
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Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
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Photo EDZANI NEPHALELA
Mbulelo Aven Jafta, Xhariep Municipality Corporate Services Director, and Dr Engela van Staden, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, sign a memorandum of understanding to enrich various communities in the Xhariep Municipality areas through leadership training.
The University of the Free State (UFS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Xhariep Municipality that is aimed at positively impacting communities through strategic partnerships. The organisations plan for their collaboration to make a significant difference by training 35 of their employees via the UFS Business School – 15 will undertake the Foundation Skills Short Learning Programme, and 20 the Bachelor’s degree in Management Leadership.
This joint effort will equip these employees with essential skills and knowledge and empower them to carry out their responsibilities efficiently and effectively. Rooted in the UFS’s Vision 130, this initiative fosters positive change within the community by enhancing social justice and innovation.
Dr Engela van Staden, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, emphasised the university's dedication to human resource development and empowering individuals. “We were very excited when we got this engagement with you, and I hope it will be fruitful for you, because that’s the intention. We are also reaching out to other municipalities because we are doing it for our country, and the sooner we do it, the better the services you will deliver to people.”
Xhariep Municipality expressed gratitude for the collaboration, recognising its significance in empowering its employees. Mbulelo Aven Jafta, Corporate Services Director at the municipality, thanked the university for accepting the partnership. “As a municipality, we are interested in capacitating our employees to perform their duties optimally. It is through these partnerships that we reach our intended targets. This is the first two projects, and many more will be coming as our partnership progresses, and we intend to use this opportunity to the best of our abilities.”
Jafta said that such partnerships encourage a more interconnected and interdependent world. “As organisations work towards common goals, they create a ripple effect that can lead to a brighter and more promising future and play a vital role in shaping a positive and sustainable future.”
Wayde claims gold and silver at IAAF World Championships in London
2017-08-11
The Olympic champion, Wayde van Niekerk, continued
his superb form over the past few months when he
won a gold medal in the 400 m and a silver in the 200 m
at the IAAF World Championships in London.
Photo: Getty Images
This is just the beginning. These were the words of an emotional Wayde van Niekerk after he completed one of the best weeks in his young career at the IAAF World Championships.
The 25-year-old Kovsie star claimed a gold medal in the 400 m in London, England, on 8 August 2017, and added a silver in the 200 m on 10 August 2017.
Furthermore, he was only 0.02 seconds away (in the 200 m) from achieving a 200 m/400 m double – something which was last done in 1995 at a World Championship by Michael Johnson. Van Niekerk won the 400 m in London in 43.98 s, and two days later his 20.106 s was enough for a silver in the 200 m. Ramil Guliyev from Turkey was first in 20.09 s.
Role model for Kovsie community
Once again Van Niekerk’s achievements warmed the hearts back home at the University of the Free State (UFS). “This is an extremely proud moment not only for the country, but in particular for the University of the Free State. Wayde is a role model for the entire Kovsie community, and we have been following his achievements in the international arena with great excitement. We are elated by his performances. Congratulations also to Tannie Ans and his management team,” Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, said.
So much more ahead, says star
“I really feel I worked hard for tonight and I gave it my all. And I think I have proven over and over again I deserve what I have achieved. It was a tough week for me,” Van Niekerk said in an interview with the BBC. “I am glad that I could come out again today and put on a good fight. I really believe this is just the beginning of so much more I can achieve.”