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#YouthMonth: Celebrating youth empowerment (Katleho Leqheku)

30 June 2023 | Story Katleho Leqheku | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is celebrating Youth Month by showcasing the positive influence of the institution on career development. As part of this initiative, we are sharing the stories of UFS alumni who are now working at the university.

Katleho Leqheku, Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Intern in the Health and Wellness Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus, shares her UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: 2023.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication Science, currently doing my honours.

Q: Date of joining the UFS as a staff member:

A: April 2023.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: PYEI intern in the Health and Wellness Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Q: How did the UFS prepare you for the professional world?

A: The UFS has equipped me with in-depth knowledge. Through lectures, coursework, and research projects, I have gained a strong foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge related to what I am currently studying. Workshops offered by the UFS have been my key focus and an easy access to prep me for the professional world.

Q: What are your thoughts on transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member?

A: Honestly, it’s an answered prayer because last year, while I was in my final year, I prayed for employment and to get accepted for honours. I consider the transition a worthwhile opportunity that allowed me to grow mentally as well as equipping myself with various skills. It’s not easy though, as I am used to being a full-time student with little pressure. But now the professional world requires a lot, like waking up early in the morning EVERY DAY! Lol, it’s a struggle and it requires one to show up each and every day whether you feel like it or not.

Q: Any additional comments about your experience?

A: It’s been good so far; I believe I am gradually allowing myself to grow and leave room for more opportunities to attract me. This experience is exactly what I needed so that I can learn and be comfortable with facing the world – not just any world, but a professional world. However, I thank God for this opportunity.

News Archive

Afrikaans place names were not only given by Afrikaner people, says professor.

2012-09-25

Prof. Peter Raper delivering his lecture on South African place names.
25 September 2012

Prof. Peter Raper, honorary professor at the Department of Linguistics and Language Practice, delivered a public lecture in Clarens earlier this month. The theme of the lecture was “From Stone Age to GPS: The fourth edition of the South African Place Names Dictionary”.

Prof. Raper shared the historical development of the project as well as the challenges and other interesting observations associated with the topic. He elaborated on the dramatic change in the focus of his research on place names in South Africa.

It was previously assumed that all of the Afrikaans place names were given by the Afrikaner people and that changing these place names was consistent with the mandate of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) to transform place names. Prof. Raper said more in-depth research revealed that a significant number of place names are actually translations of original San names – into Afrikaans, Khoi and the Bantu languages. He told the audience that given the constitutional stipulation that no cultural group’s heritage may be removed, this discovery calls into the question the modus operandi of the SAGNC.

Prof. Raper’s lecture was part of the conference programme of the Third International MIDP IV Symposium that took place on the Qwaqwa campus. The MIDP (Multilingual Information Development Programme) is a project sponsored by the Province of Antwerp. The theme for this year’s symposium was “Multilingualism for Empowerment” and was presented in collaboration with the University of Antwerp.

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