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13 December 2023 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Siyabonga Mazibuko and Anthony Mthembu
Sharon Pinky Kekana
Sharon Pinky Kekana: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the Central University of Technology (CUT), recently concluded its fourth bi-annual Gender Practitioners Community of Practice (CoP) conference in Clarens. The event, held from 28 to 30 November 2023, drew participation from gender practitioners representing all 26 Universities across the country. Distinguished guest speaker, Sharon Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, added valuable insights to the discussions.

Tumelo Rasebopye, Chairperson of the Gender Practitioners Community of Practice (CoP), outlined the conference’s key objectives, emphasising the need for thorough and robust engagement on issues raised in previous gatherings and the provision of essential tools for practitioners to implement upon their return to their institutions. Rasebopye stressed, ‘Part of the conference is to ensure that we engage in developing a common understanding and act at a baseline level to address the dynamics in our institutions.’’

The themes explored throughout the Conference

The conference delved into various themes through panel discussions and guest speaker sessions, covering topics such as masculinity, culture, and consent. However, the primary focus was on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), particularly pertinent during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.’ Kekana, in her address, considered the conference theme, ‘Accelerating actions to end gender-based violence & femicide: leaving no one behind,’ as a call to action. She urged attendees to continue to raise awareness about the devastating impact of GBVF on women, children and the nation as a whole, citing alarming statistics of 969 women murdered in the first three months of the year. 

Advocate Brenda Madumise, Co-Founder of the Wise Collective, highlighted flaws in the national justice system, pointing to prolonged sexual assault cases and the trauma inflicted on survivors during the waiting period.

Resolutions

Reflecting on the conference, Kekana deemed the discussions as an eye-opener, stressing an integrated approach involving various societal entities, including the church and religious leaders. The gender practitioners pledged to collaborate with groups such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) within their institutions to foster inclusivity.  Rasebopye affirmed, ‘’Our existence is fundamental towards the transformation of higher education, and these conferences will inform the necessary actions towards that course.’’

The GEADO, in partnership with CUT, continues to champion gender equality through informed and actionable discussions. The conference not only raised awareness about GBVF but also galvanized gender practitioners to play an active role in fostering inclusive environments within higher education institutions.

News Archive

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture to focus 20 years’ experience on food security
2014-12-04

 

The University of the Free State (UFS) Centre for Sustainable Agriculture is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. According to Prof Izak Groenewald, professor in this centre, their vision in future will be to focus on food security.

Besides the centre’s role in training people to make a contribution to food security, Prof Groenewald and his team adapted the learning programmes to add mobility to its qualifications – students can now obtain qualifications in short courses up to PhD qualifications.

Short courses include:
• Introduction to Innovation and Rural Development
• Foundational Theories in Livestock Production
• Sustainable Plant Production

Persons interested in the Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture, can register for the following modules:
• Fundamentals of Rural Development
• Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics
• Sustainable Plant Production Practices
• Sustainable Animal Production Practices
• Basic written communication and presentation skills

Focus areas in the master’s degree programme are:
• Agribusiness management
• Value adding
• Rural development
• Plant production
• Animal production

The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture regards partnerships with institutions abroad as vitally important. For this reason, partnerships have already been fromed with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), the University of Minnesota and the National Department of Agriculture.

Persons obtaining qualifications at the centre will be able to find employment in the following fields:
• Project management and planning
• Rural development sociology
• Livestock production systems
• Advisors in the agricultural sector of commercial banks
• Commercial and emerging farmers
• Extension services with government departments as link between farmer and government
• Lecturers
• Researchers

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