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01 August 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba
womens Month 2023

As South Africa kicks off Women's Month, the University of the Free State (UFS) also launched its 2023 campaign, #UFSWomen Strive to BeBetter. The initiative reflects the institution's dedication to fostering women's empowerment and promoting gender equality within its academic and support staff domains. This move aligns with the United Nations’ Generation Equality campaign, connecting South Africa to the worldwide efforts aimed at achieving gender equality by 2030.

Historically, Women's Month in South Africa holds immense significance, commemorating the bravery of more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The marchers opposed the extension of Pass Laws to women, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's history. Today, Women's Month represents a time for reflection, assessment of progress, and confronting various forms of oppression.

Championing social justice

In line with its Vision 130 strategy, the UFS has placed social justice at the heart of its mission. With the objective of promoting human dignity through ethical and transparent institutional practices, the university interprets social justice within the context of South Africa's history. This includes striving for inclusivity, reducing inequality, and providing opportunities to overcome poverty and dispossession.

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, underscored the importance of Women's Month and the university's unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality. He expressed appreciation for the strength and resilience exhibited by women, while acknowledging the obstacles they continue to encounter. “The university takes pride in championing the principles of equality and strives to offer a conducive environment for women to flourish in every aspect of its academic community.”

Building a Better Future

The #UFSWomen Strive to BeBetter campaign aims to shed light on the various initiatives and support systems implemented by the university to uplift and empower women within the campus community. Through this proactive effort, the UFS seeks to create an environment where women can flourish and contribute meaningfully to the greater goal of building a more equitable society.

Throughout Women's Month, the UFS has planned an array of events to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women within the institution. The activities will include panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering dialogue and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

Victim to Victor GBV Awareness and Dignity Kit Handover 
Date: 3 August 2023
Time: 12:00-14:00

Venue: Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Struggles and Experiences of Womxn in Higher Education
Date: 7 August 2023
Time: 10:00-12:30

Pour_try and Paint
Date: 10 August 2023
Time: 16:00-18:30
Venue: Soetdoring Café, Bloemfontein Campus
Seminar on Bridging the Gap: Exploring the Intersection of Traditional African Values and Modern Perspectives in Achieving Gender Equality 
Date: 24 August 2023
Time: 10:00-12:30
Annual Women’s Day Breakfast 
Date: 24 August 2023
Time: 08:30-10:30
Venue: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

RC members of Armentum not expelled from residence
2009-05-29

According to a memorandum of agreement that was concluded between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Residence Committee (RC), the Senior Bond Committee and seniors of the Armentum Residence, the parties involved agreed, among others, that the RC members of this residence would not be expelled from the residence.

This follows an incident during which a first-year student from Armentum, Alex Marais, was injured because of alleged initiation and admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic.

According to the agreement, the RC members will resign from their positions and not make themselves available for the next RC election, with the exception of Mr M.J. Pretorius, the RC member for Rag. He will stay on as unelected member of the interim RC. The UFS undertook to pay the RC that is stepping down their honorariums honorariums in August.

The UFS also gave permission to the Residence Head of Armentum, Adv. Bradley Smith, to appoint an interim RC for the remaining period of office of the current RC.

The Senior Bond must also undertake to submit the current rules of the Senior Bond Committee to the Acting Rector, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, before 1 June 2009. The Senior Bond Committee undertakes to comply strictly with these rules, also during Senior Bond activities.

In addition the Senior Bond Committee and the current Residence Committee must submit the following information to Prof. Verschoor before the reopening of the UFS for the second semester :
- The current orientation practices with regard to first-year students.
- Proposals on how the practices can be adjusted to render them enforceable within humane, reasonable, fair and humanitarian limits in order to implement and comply with the objectives of orientation, the exercising of control and the laying down of rules.

The compensating fine that was levied against the tuition fees accounts of senior students of Armentum, which would have been used to contribute to the medical costs of Alex Marais, is now cancelled.

This settlement is final and the parties will not lay any claims against each other as a result of this incident in future.

Media Release:
Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
Email: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
29 May 2009

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