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01 June 2023 | Story Danelle Fisher | Photo Supplied
South Campus SRC uses conversations to break gender bias
Students listening attentively to speakers at the Break the Bias Conversations held at Legae Residence on the South Campus.
On 24 May 2023, the University of the Free State (UFS) South Campus Student Representative Council (SRC) held the Break the Bias Conversations dialogue at Legae Residence on the South Campus to talk about biases faced by the LGBTQI+ community. 

Established in 2022, the initiative aims to educate students on the different issues faced by students on a daily basis. "This dialogue aimed to educate students on a wide range of topics related to mental health, safety, and racial disparities experienced by our students," states Gonste Choane, Senior Officer, Kovsie Support. 

The SRC has created a safe space for students to address biases towards the LGBTQI+ community, with topics on awareness surrounding the community, including discrimination, sexual health, stereotypes and stigmatisation, and becoming more aware of conscious and unconscious biases and being willing to question ourselves and others. "There was a need to start dialogues/engagements among South Campus students regarding issues they encounter on a regular basis," added Choane. 

The dialogue was attended by South Campus students, the Gender Equity and Anti-Discrimination Office, and associations and NGOs centred around the LGBTQI+ community. "It's important for the university community to be aware of these dialogues in order to provide the necessary support mechanisms that will enhance the academic success of all students," said Choane.  

Guest speakers from diverse backgrounds were invited to share their experiences with the students. 

“The initiative has successfully managed to open the door for open discussions among students regarding issues they face on a regular basis. The initiative's goal now being growth in collaboration with more campuses. "This dialogue aims to collaborate with other campuses in the future," said Choane. 

News Archive

Prof. Jansen meets the community
2012-05-16

 

Prof. Jansen listens attentively to Mr Teboho Moloi, who represented the Harrismith Business Forum at the community meeting where the UFS vision was shared.
Photo: Thabo Kessah
16 May 2012

We are very proud of our academic achievements, but without the human element, these achievements are not worth anything. This is according to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, who attended a meeting with the Thabo Mofutsanyana community in the Eastern Free State.

Prof. Jansen made the community aware that the university has two very important and interlinked projects – the academic and human projects.

“Our university has ambitions to produce the best scholars in various fields, but this cannot be done if we neglect the human aspect of doing things in the right way. We want to produce academic giants as much as we want to produce graduates of life,” said Prof. Jansen to an audience that included representatives from the traditional councils, business, religious and farming communities as well as the Maluti-A-Phofung and Dihlabeng Local Municipalities.

Prof. Jansen said that the memorandum of understanding that the university signed with the Dihlabeng Local Municipality in 2010 was already yielding positive results.

“There has been an enormous improvement in the matric results of the Dihlabeng schools that are part of our efforts to contribute towards building a brighter future for our children. We want to thank the municipality and the Honourable Mayor Tjhetane Mofokeng for being part of this partnership,” added Prof. Jansen.
 
“We are grateful that the university is considerate of its stakeholders in developing this Maluti-A-Phofung area. I am also aware that this institution has contributed towards the building of a crèche in the Mabolela village in Qwaqwa and for this we are very happy,” said Ms Linah Mnisi from Motlotlwane Projects and Consultants.
 

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