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The Africa we want

27 June 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish

“The Africa we want can only be achieved by promoting good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law, a peaceful and secure Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values, and ethics,” said Shelton Makore, Senior Law Lecturer in the University of the Free State Department of Mercantile Law.

He further remarked that, “Such an approach will enable Africa to have economic, political, and social development that is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by the people of Africa, especially its women and youth, caring for children, and an Africa that is strong, united, resilient, and an influential global player and partner.”

Makore's statement encapsulated a concise summary of the dialogue he moderated, which took place during Africa Month and was organised by the Faculty of Law. The main purpose of the dialogue was to delve into the African Union's Agenda 2063, titled ‘The Africa we want’, with a specific focus on advancing justice in Africa to achieve sustainable development. The discussions revolved around the idea of fostering a politically united and integrated continent that embraces the principles of Pan-Africanism and the vision of African Renaissance.

Looking back on Africa Month

The Faculty of Law hosted a two-tier Africa Day event on the Bloemfontein Campus on 25 May 2023. It included a round-table dialogue on 'Advancing Justice with a View of the Future: The 2063 Agenda for Sustainable Development' and a cultural exhibition titled: 'Appreciating Knowledge through Culture'.

Prof Danie Brand, Director of the Free State Centre for Human Rights at the UFS, Ntando Sindane, Lecturer in the Department of Private Law, and Dr Isolde de Villiers, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mercantile Law, were part of the panel of experts who facilitated a discussion that looked through the lens of seven aspirational themes:

A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of African Renaissance
An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law
A peaceful and secure Africa
Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values, and ethics
An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children
An Africa as a strong, united, resilient, and influential global player and partner

Africa’s futureEnvisioning

During the discussion, Prof Brand underscored the importance of fostering cultural diversity as a means to achieve inclusivity and a sustainable future. On the other hand, Sindane highlighted the necessity of engaging in self-reflection and adapting to the challenges posed by neoliberal and neo-colonial economic structures, aiming to address poverty, hunger, and deprivation in Africa. The panellists delved into a comprehensive exploration of the Sustainable Development Goals and their significant role in shaping the desired future for Africa. Dr De Villiers highlighted the impact of spatial injustice on people's lives, emphasising the need for fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities within cities and towns.

The dialogue generated valuable insights on repositioning Africa as a beacon of hope, inclusivity, justice, and prosperity, aligning with the UFS Vision 130 strategic plan. Additionally, the exhibition added to the dialogue's impact, featuring impressive displays of cultural attire, food, and artefacts by students representing diverse African countries.

News Archive

State-of-the-art physics equipment and investment in students result in academic success

2017-09-26

At the recent nanotechnology facility tour at the UFS,
were, from the left, Dr Mthuthuzeli Zamxaka, SAASTA;
Prof Hendrik Swart, Sarchi Chair in the Department of Physics;
and Xolani Makhoba, Department of Science and Technology.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Nanoscience, which is revealing new properties of very small arrangements of atoms, called nanoparticles, is opening a new world of possibilities. The Department of Physics at the University of the Free State is undertaking fundamental research with potential commercial applications. Its equipment and expertise is giving solid state physics research the edge in South Africa.

The UFS team of researchers and students are passionate about studying planets and atoms, all under one roof. Recently, the department, in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), hosted a nanotechnology facility tour to give the public, learners and the media the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the science of nanotechnology, its origins, potential applications and risks.

Successes of the department
According to Prof Hendrik Swart, Senior Professor in the Department of Physics, the increase in resources since 2008 is playing a big role in the success rate of its research outputs. The Sarchi Chair awarded to Prof Swart in 2012 (bringing with it funding for equipment and bursaries) also contributed to the successes in the department.

The UFS Directorate Research Development also availed funding that was used for bursaries. These bursaries made it possible for the department to appoint 10 post-doctoral fellows, not one of them originally from South Africa.

The investment in people and equipment resulted in researchers and students publishing some 80 articles in 2016. Their work was also cited more than 900 times by other researchers in that year.

Another highlight in terms of the department’s growth in the past 10 years is the new wing of the Physics Building. Physics at the UFS is the only place in sub-Saharan Africa where state-of-the art equipment is found under one roof.

Antonie Fourie, Junior Lecturer in the UFS Department of
Physics, explained to a group of delegates and
members of the media the workings of an electron beam
evaporation system.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Application of research
The department is a unique research facility with equipment that includes the X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (for the study of atoms), the Scanning Auger Microscope, as well as the Ion Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (revealing the chemical bonds in a sample, and drawing maps of the positions of atoms).

One of the areas on which the department is focusing its research, is phosphors. Researchers are exploring light emitting diodes (LEDs) which use less energy, are brighter and provide a wider viewing field. They are also looking into LED displays (LCDs) which are used in flat screens – the phosphors create the different colours and backlighting.

The research on solar cells reveals that phosphors can increase their efficiency by increasing the range of light frequencies which can be converted into electricity. Glow-in-the-dark coatings absorb light in the day and emit it later so cells can charge at night. As glow-in-the-dark phosphors become cheaper and more effective, they can be used as a lighting substitute on the walls of houses, street numbers and stop signs.

Video production of the Department of Physics research and equipment

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