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01 June 2023 | Story Nicole Bongo | Photo Supplied
Student centered community engagement programmes
University of the Free State students participating in one of the many projects coordinated by the Engaged Scholarship Office.

To help make a change and push for sustainable development, the University of the Free State Division of Student Affairs works with communities around Bloemfontein fostering a culture of creating sustainable solutions.

Gernus Terblanche, Kovsie Support Services and Assistant Researcher in the Division says, ‘it is important for the university to be actively involved in the community as it makes up such a large portion of the Bloemfontein and students also represent many different communities on and off- campus.’

Terblanche said: “As an educational institution it is vital for the UFS to support and guide students towards creating innovative solutions; both local and globally. Our experience is that students often come up with real solutions that can make a real impact in the lives of real people – and it would be crucial to support such initiatives.” 

The office has worked with BloemShelter, VermiVillage, GAP Equip, National Hospital and as part of the programmes of 2022 also with Lighuis, Talita Cumi, ROC Kids and the Universitas Neighborhood association. “We are also very fortunate to have, Shanen Emam, Miss Free State 2023 as one of our students that are involved with our programmes,” added Terblanche.

One of the students involved is Prince Sijane, Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council member responsible for Civic and Social Responsibility when asked why student participation is important, he said, “By actively participating in initiatives that address social issues or promote community well-being, students become more aware of the challenges faced by society.”

The Division of Student Affairs’ KovsieACT office is also in partnership with the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics) to develop and maintain vegetable gardens.

Tereblanche said: “The produce of these gardens addresses hunger and malnutrition amongst students on campus. KovsieACT also facilitates an eco-vehicle project during which student teams learn how to build electric vehicles powered by solar charging stations. This project is aimed at developing skills appropriate to the 4th Industrial Revolution and sustainable resources development including clean and green energy.”  

News Archive

Athletics SA hosts cross-country championships at our university
2011-09-28

 

Zola Budd
Photo: Johan Roux

According to Mr DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport at our university, Athletics South Africa’s Cross Country-Championships, which was hosted on our Bloemfontein Campus, was a great success. Not only did a record number of 3 368 athletes register for the championships, but a record number of spectators – between 10 000 and 12 000 – also attended.

Well-known former Kovsie athlete, Zola Budd, who was the World Cross-Country Champion in 1985 and 1986, gave an outstanding performance at this event and triumphed as the overall winner in the 30-70 age group. What made her performance even more remarkable was her time of 14:37 in the 4 km race, which was faster than any of the girls in the 14-17 age group.

Kovsie student, Danel Prinsloo, also gave a good performance by finishing 6th out of 79 athletes in the junior women’s category. Danel, Charity Moletsane and Jessica Stevens (also from the UFS), won the bronze medal in the junior women’s team competition.
Khothatso Mokone obtained a 17th place (out of 70 athletes) in the senior men’s division. He also contributed to the Free State’s bronze medal in the 12 km team competition.

Other Kovsie athletes who contributed to the team competition medals for the Free State were Marili du Buisson, who won a bronze medal in the 4 km race for women under 21, and Maryna Swanepoel and Nelmaré Loubser, who both received bronze medals in the senior women’s 8 km race.

Danie Cronjé, former Kovsie and current Chairperson of the Kovsie Athletics Club, obtained a gold medal by winning the 8 km race for men aged 55-59 in a time of 30:37.
 

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