Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities
2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of  King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept