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27 June 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish
Discussing the Africa We Want
Discussing the Africa we want, were from the left: Shelton Makore (Senior Mercantile Law Lecturer), Prof Danie Brand (Director of the Free State Centre for Human Rights), Ntando Sindane (Private Law Lecturer), and Dr Isolde de Villiers (Senior Mercantile Law Lecturer).

“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

UFS Communication and Brand Management receives two prestigious international awards
2015-07-07

Lelanie de Wet, Lacea Loader and Leonie Bolleurs

The Department of Communication and Brand Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) received two of the six Gold Quill Awards – that were awarded to South African companies and institutions - at the International Association of Business Communicator’s (IABC) Excellence Gala ceremony in San Francisco, US on 15 June 2015.

The awards ceremony formed part of the 2015 IABC World Conference, which took place from 14-17 June 2015. The department received a Gold Quill Excellence Award for its social media campaign, UFS #FaceOfFacebook and a Gold Quill Merit Award for the B Safe Take Action campaign.

From the 15 countries that entered, a total of 120 Gold Quill Excellence awards and 189 Gold Quill Merit awards were awarded. Other South African award winners included Barclays Africa Group Limited, Mediclinic and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

This is the second year in a row that the UFS has been recognised by the IABC for its communication projects. In 2014, the department was awarded the Jake Wittmer Research Award for a Stakeholder Perception Audit conducted in February 2014. The audit was considered – by the IABC - as one of the best breakthrough strategies used by a university to measure the perceptions of its stakeholders.This made the UFS the first tertiary institution in Africa to receive the research award. The stakeholder perception audit also received an Africa Gold Quill in 2014.

"Being recognised by a global association such as the IABC for the second time, is a great honour and I am very proud of what my colleagues have achieved by entering the two campaigns. Winning the awards is a true indication of what can be done when a team of expert communicators is committed towards engaging their target audiences with campaigns that speak of quality and innovation. The fact that the UFS is one of only two tertiary education institutions in the country to receive these prestigious awards, makes it even more special," said Lacea Loader, Director: Communication and Brand Management at the UFS.

IABC World and Africa conferences 2015 

The IABC is a global membership association with a network of 12 000 members in more than 80 countries, representing many of the Global Fortune 500 companies. It serves professionals in the field of business communication, bringing together the profession’s collective disciplines.

With the theme: Changing landscape: Informing the future, the 2015 world conference was attended by over 1 200 delegates from across the world. Delegates were offered an opportunity for learning, discovering, and connecting. Loader also made a presentation entitled ‘Award-winning measurement endorses sound reputation management strategy’ at the world conference.

The department will also be receiving two Africa Gold Quill Awards from the Africa chapter of the IABC for the same campaigns on 30 July 2015 in Johannesburg.

UFS #FaceOfFacebook Campaign

The university received a Gold Quill Excellence Award for its social media campaign, UFS #FaceOfFacebook. This initiative originated in the university’s commitment to its Human Project, which sets the standard for good behaviour and care.

Lelanie de Wet, Manager: Social Media and Website Content and project leader of UFS #FaceOfFacebook, said the project was born from the need to communicate with students. Thus a virtual friend, #FaceOfFacebook, was created. “Yearly auditions are being held to choose the new face representing the UFS on Facebook. Short video clips of the #FaceOfFacebook – whether it is attending events or communicating important messages - are posted on the UFS Facebook page. The successful candidate holds the title #FaceOfFacebook for 12 months.

“When I look at a campaign such as #FaceOfFacebook, from the time it took its first tentative steps in 2013, and see how it inspired staff and students alike, my heart swells with pride. Often you can see the impact you have made only in retrospect. The ripples you send into the world will inevitably create waves,” she said.

B Safe Take Action Campaign

The B Safe Take Action campaign of the university received a Gold Quill Merit award from the IABC.

The campaign was activated in September 2013. “It targeted on- and off-campus students and staff, aiming to create social ownership of personal safety, and to raise awareness of the safety measures put in place by the university,” said Leonie Bolleurs, Manager: Internal Communication and project manager of the campaign.

The campaign looked at a number of safety aspects, focusing not only on crime but also on being safe from road accidents and stress/burnout.

It is the second time this year that the BSafe campaign has been recognised for its innovative strategy. Earlier this year it received a PRISM Award (Gold) from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA). The annual PRISM Awards are about recognising and celebrating great public relations campaigns.

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