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08 December 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Janeke Eloff
Johan and Schalk Eloff
The brothers Johan and Schalk Eloff completed the Bachelor of Management Leadership (BML) together.

The Eloff brothers, Johan and Schalk, completed the Bachelor of Management Leadership (BML) together and received their degrees at the December graduations of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Johan says very few people get the opportunity to complete the same degree with a sibling. “Not only was this a huge honour for me, but our relationship also grew stronger, as group assignments and discussions were a big part of the BML curriculum.

According to Schalk, tackling the work together helped them both. “Studying the same modules together enabled us to support each other and share ideas as we progressed,” he said, adding that undertaking the BML together with his brother motivated him to complete his studies.

Benefiting their business

The two brothers, both entrepreneurs and co-owners of Airtelecom – an internet service provider with offices in Bloemfontein and the Garden Route – said that nothing prepared them for the amount of time and effort the studies would require.

Johan mentioned that because they never had the opportunity to study after completing matric, they discussed the potential advantages that the degree could bring to their business. “Not only did we benefit from it for our own business, but it also provided a qualification that could be beneficial should we need to venture into other opportunities or return to the employment sector,” he stated. 

Schalk pointed out that he, too, believed that he could benefit from registering for the BML. “Although I was introduced to business and business principles from a young age and learned about all aspects of business from previous managers and mentors, I felt that studying for a degree and applying the theory along with my knowledge and experience would go a long way in improving the way I manage my business,” he remarked. 

Johan, who learned about growing profits and expanding the client base, motivating employees, and placing them in the correct positions to empower them to be the best at what they want and need to do, said they would like to apply as much as they can of what they have learned in their business. Schalk added that he also would like to investigate other business opportunities to expand and diversify the company.

Experiencing a key milestone together

“With all the challenges we experienced during our studies, including managing the curveballs thrown at us by the COVID-19 epidemic when we had to postpone our studies for more than a year to tend to our business, it is a surreal feeling that we accomplished this and that we are experiencing this milestone in our lives together,” said Schalk.

Johan believes that the support of their family played a key role in their success. “To show our appreciation for their patience through the hours, days, and nights of classes and assignments we had to sacrifice to finally walk across the stage, we plan on attending a Formula 1 race overseas, which will be a dream come true. With this family vacation, we intend to celebrate and reward ourselves and our loved ones,” he said. 

News Archive

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
2006-05-08

Some of the guests attending the launch of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus were from the left Prof Peter Mbati (Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus), Mrs Zimbini Zwane ( Communications Manager of Sasol Infrachem), Prof Gerhardt  de Klerk (Dean : UFS Faculty of the Humanities), Prof Fred Hugo
 Director of TRAC SA) and Prof Jack van der Linde (Director of RIEP at the UFS).

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus

The Research Institute for Education Planning (RIEP) of the University of the Free State (UFS) today unveiled the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at its Qwaqwa campus.

The laboratory will be used to help grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and educators from the Qwaqwa region to conduct the experiments from the physical sciences outcome-based curriculum.

“The Sasol TRAC Laboratory introduces learners not only to the latest technology used by engineers and other scientists in practice but also to stimulate the learner’s interest in the field of science in such a way that more of them will enter into science related careers,” says Mr Cobus van Breda, Co-ordinator of the TRAC Free State Regional Centre.

According to Mr van Breda the newly established Sasol TRAC Laboratory will enable RIEP to train learners and their educators in Physical Sciences.  The laboratory will consist of six work stations equipped with computers and electronic sensors.

“Learners from the Qwaqwa region will visit the Sasol TRAC Laboratory on regular basis to conduct experiments based on the curriculum.  Data will be collected with electronic apparatus and presented as graphs on the computer so that results can be analysed and interpreted,” says Mr van Breda.

“There is a serious shortage of suitable qualified teachers in maths and science in the Qwaqwa region.  Many schools in the region are not yet part of the RIEP project and are in dire need of assistance.  A large number of these schools are in remote areas not reached regularly by intervention programmes,” says Prof Peter Mbati, Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.

“The establishment of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the Qwaqwa Campus provides us the opportunity to engage with our community and assist in the development and training of these vital education subjects.  We are pleased that Sasol agreed to fund the project,” says Prof Mbati.

Students from the Qwaqwa Campus will also benefit from the TRAC programme.   “Some promising students will also undergo further training and become assistants for the TRAC programme,” says Prof Mbati. 

“Nurturing science and mathematical skills is of great importance in growing our national economy. Annually, Sasol invests more than R50 million in supporting mathematical and science education in South Africa. Our primary aim is to increase the number of learners gaining access to tertiary education in the science fields. Therefore, our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) education interventions at secondary school level focus on educator development and direct learner interventions such as the Sasol TRAC Laboratory,” explains Ms Pamilla Mudhray, CSI and SHARP manager at Sasol.

According to Ms Mudhray the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement for physical sciences in the further education and training (FET) phase from 2006, under resourced schools will need greater access to the tools and equipment necessary to teach the syllabus and fulfil the ideals of the curriculum.

TRAC South Africa is a national non-profit programme focused on supporting and expanding science, mathematics and technology education in secondary schools. The programme was first introduced to South Africa in 1994. In 2005, RIEP established the TRAC Free State regional centre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 May 2006

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