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14 February 2023 | Story Prof Nicholas Pearce | Photo Andre Damons
The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with PathCare laboratories, joined forces on Valentine’s Day – since it is seen as a day of unconditional love that you share with your partner – reaching out to the community in the Bloemfontein CBD and Preller Square, by drawing attention to gender-based violence – a topic that is often misunderstood, not discussed, and often occurs behind closed doors.

The University of the Free State views gender-based violence (GBV) as a scourge of our modern society. In this vein, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of the Humanities joined forces on Valentine’s Day, since it is seen as a day of unconditional love that you share with your partner.

In collaboration with PathCare laboratories, the university saw an opportunity to reach out to the community in the CBD and Preller Square. The idea was to draw attention to a topic that is often misunderstood, not discussed, and often occurs behind closed doors. Medical and Humanities students actively engaged with the communities by handing out Valentine’s chocolates and information pamphlets regarding GBV.

Community engagement forms part of the UFS’ strategic goals. The collaboration between these two faculties on such an important topic is testament to the university’s commitment to eradicating GBV in all forms and manifestations.

Prof Frans Maruma, Head of the Marketing Committee for the School of Clinical Medicine, stated that “gender-based violence has no place in our modern society. Most of the time, victims are among us and go unrecognised”.

The Faculty of the Humanities provided a visual aspect to this important topic by doing the make-up of the students involved in order to highlight the abuse these victims suffer. Mr Cloete (Faculty of the Humanities) indicated that “no person is immune to gender-based violence, and gender-based violence transcends race, gender, and wealth”.

Pathcare laboratories was proud to collaborate with the University of the Free State, as this aligns with their ideology of community-based care. PathCare recognises its role in the broader society by offering to test victims of GBV. PathCare offers a range of tests, specially catered towards GBV survivors to ensure that appropriate medical care can be provided in the shortest possible turnaround time.

Two thousand chocolates and pamphlets were distributed to members of the community through this collaboration. The university and the private sector hope to eradicate GBV on local and national level. 

Gender-based violence may be any of the following: physical abuse, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, socio-economic abuse, domestic violence, or abuse such as sexual harassment. Below are the UFS contact details for victims of GBV. 

University of the Free State
Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO)

Bloemfontein Campus
Deputy Director: Nchabeleng Lentsu
nchabelengnv@ufs.ac.za

Senior Officer: Geraldine Lengau
Contact: +27 51 401 3982

South Campus
Senior Officer: Mocwana Chelepe
Contact: +27 51 401 7544

Student Counselling and Development (SCD)
Contact: +27 51 401 9236

Victim Empowerment Centre (TCC)
Walk-ins.
 
HOTLINES:
UFS SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) 
+27 57 401 7777

GBVCC (Gender-Based Violence Command Centre)
0800 428 428

Please call me facility:
*120*7867#

Skype line: 
Helpme GBV for members of the deaf community.

An SMS-based line:
31531 for persons with disabilities (SMS ‘help’ to 31531)

News Archive

The UFS produces some of the finest teachers in the country
2015-03-02

 

The quest for producing well-grounded, excellent and prolific teachers at the UFS is bearing fruit. Numerous accolades have over the years been bestowed on some of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus's finest graduates.

"For us as the faculty, it is gratifying and rewarding to learn about the achievements of our students. These achievements do not only validate our efforts, but inspire us as well,” says Dr Dipane Hlalele, Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Education at the UFS.

Dr Hlalele also revealed that, in the recent past, the faculty at the Qwaqwa Campus has experienced an increase in the enrolment figures for teacher training.

"Numbers in our initial teacher education programmes grow in leaps and bounds and we produce some of the best teachers in the country. We are proud to say that on graduation day, our students receive at least two things, i.e., their qualifications as well as entry into the teaching profession," added Hlalele.

Some of the shining examples that Dr Hlalele referred to, are Tebello Tshabalala (English), Mthobisi Khumalo (Mathematics), Thabo Mohapi (Physical Sciences), Lehlohonolo Khanye (Accounting) and Yvonne Tsotetsi (Business Studies). All of these are educators at Lekgulo Senior Secondary School in Qwaqwa and have each produced a 100% pass rate in the 2014 examinations.

There is also Nape Motloung, whose excellent Mathematics results at Botshabelo's Lefikeng High School have placed him as the Top Mathematics Educator in the Free State. Motloung's consistent excellent results have also placed his school in the Top 10 of the Best Performing Schools in Mathematics. This has also won his school R100 000 from the Free State Department of Education.

At yet another Qwaqwa school, Sekgutlong Secondary, Malefetsane Mokomotoane's Mathematics results over the years have earned him a runner-up prize in the category Excellence in Teaching Mathematics at the 2014 National Teachers Awards hosted by Minister Angie Motshekga.

"I am proud to have had 98% of my learners pass Mathematics, with 10 distinctions," said an elated Mokomotoane, who has just been appointed Principal of Selelekela Secondary School in Qwaqwa.

"Having achieved an average of 59%, my highest ever, has taught me and my learners that through hard work, anything is possible," added Mokomotoane.

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