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UFS partners with Xhariep Municipality and SALGA to enhance employee training

08 August 2023 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo EDZANI NEPHALELA

Mbulelo Aven Jafta and Dr Engela van Staden — 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.”

News Archive

Vishuis secure fifth Varsity Cup title and seventh for UFS

2017-04-21

Wian van der Watt scored a try for Vishuis
during the Koshuis final of the Varsity Cup
against Patria. The centre was also crowned
Player of the Tournament in the residence
league.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/SASPA

The right attitude, a special group of players, and pride to represent their residence. According to Stephen Botha, Vishuis rugby captain, these were the ingredients for his team’s Varsity Cup success as they claimed a fifth national title.

The residence on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) was crowned Koshuis Champions of the Varsity Cup for a second consecutive year. In a repeat of last year’s final, they beat Patria from Pukke (25-10) on 17 April 2017 in Pretoria.

University continues national supremacy
Abraham Fischer not only staked its claim again as the most successful residence rugby team in South Africa, but also continued the supremacy of the UFS. The university has been national champions seven out of the ten years of the tournament. Armentum and Legatum were also champions.

“I always say that whoever wins the final of the residence league here, will probably win the Varsity Cup,” Botha says.

Team prepared for finals rugby
He attributes the success to his team’s positive attitude. “Even when we were doing fitness, the guys never complained and never asked how much more we have to do. They just did it."

“I always say that whoever
wins the final of the residence
league here, will probably win
the Varsity Cup,” Botha says.

Vishuis never seemed under too much pressure in the final. Their forwards laid a solid foundation, having the upper hand in the scrums, line-outs, and driving mauls. Although Vishuis is renowned for running rugby, Botha says his team prepared for finals rugby. “We decided to stick to the basics and not to play too risky.”

However, they lost their last league match against Sonop from Tukkies (21-23). Botha agrees that it might have been the right thing before the final. “Like I always say: ‘Every setback is a set up for a great comeback’”.

• Vishuis centre Wian van der Watt was chosen as the Koshuis Player of the Tournament, while two Shimla flankers, Daniel Maartens and Phumzile Maqondwana, were included in the Varsity Cup Dream Team.

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