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13 July 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons
Tebogo Machete
Tebogo Machethe has recently been appointed Director for Innovation and Contracts in the Directorate of Research Development (DRD) at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The recently appointed Director for Innovation and Contracts in the Directorate of Research Development (DRD) at the University of the Free State (UFS) would like to see the university’s research outcome being adopted by industry and research output translating into commercial opportunities and more income.

Tebogo Machethe, who is experienced in managing intellectual property and commercialising technologies, amongst other things, assumed his new role on 1 June and has felt right at home. He is looking forward to a good working relationship and environment with all the stakeholders. 

“I would also like to see a huge drive wherein the commercialisation activities and income of the university from commercialisation of Intellectual Property (IP) increases from the research been undertaken. We will also be intensifying the entrepreneurial drive at the university with a view to creating more entrepreneurship opportunities and skills for researchers and students. This will prepare our graduates to venture into entrepreneurship once they are done with their studies,” says Machethe.

According to him, South Africa now needs research that responds to the needs of society and provides solutions to society’s problems.  

Intellectual property, commercialising technologies, contracts 

Before joining the UFS, Machethe had been a Senior Manager: Technology Transfer at the University of Johannesburg for the past six years. He also spent some time at CIPRO (currently known as Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) from 2004-2006 before joining Hahn & Hahn Inc as a Candidate patent attorney until late 2008. He then moved to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Materials Science and Manufacturing business unit in the Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer office. 

“Most of my duties revolved around managing intellectual property, commercialising technologies and drafting and managing contracts only related to IP and Technology Transfer. My current duties have expanded to all forms of contracts and also involvement in grant funding and other forms of funding,” says Machethe.

He says as a research office, the DRD exists in an eco-system wherein there are different role players. Through different role players, there is always a convergence of thinking and approaches which when all put together, puts the institution on a path to achieve the goals of the university.

Fun facts about Tebogo Machethe

  • He grew up in a small village called Ga-Raphahlelo, in Sekgosese, Mopani district, Limpopo. He is married with three children. 
  • When he is not pre-occupied with office matters, he tries to spend as much time with his family. He loves reading, running and cycling, which he often does.
  • He has lived for the last two decades in Pretoria and is finding the Free State winter challenging. “It feels personal,” he says. 

News Archive

Drama Department produces international stars
2011-05-20

 
Jefferson Dirks-Korkee en Mart Kotze
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Forbidden desires, secrets, lies and intrigue. Add a few well-known South African actors like Deon Lotz and Robin Smith for interpretation and you get the first Afrikaans South African film ever to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival from 11-22 May 2011.

It is all very well, but where does the University of the Free State (UFS) fit into the picture?

Jefferson Dirks-Korkee and Mart Kotze, two of our drama students – Jefferson being an Honours student and Mart a master’s student – each scored a small role in the film Skoonheid, when director Oliver Hermanus sent a team to Bloemfontein for auditions.

Skoonheid is the first Afrikaans South African film that has been nominated for a Cannes award. “Robert de Niro is the president of the panel of adjudicators,” says an excited Jefferson, who plays in a silent scene in the film. He and Mart, who plays a cashier, are very pleased with the opportunity to appear in this production.

Although it is the first time that Jefferson appears in front of the cameras, he has already participated in a few stage productions like Jonas and Boermanie. Mart also featured in Boermanie and Tailor Made.

They invite everyone to their performances at this year’s Vryfees in July. In Piet se tante Jefferson will debut as Windvoël and Mart will play as Lucia-Anne in Die kaskenades van Kees Kieswetter.
 

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