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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

Wrongful suffering must be compensated, Prof Johann Neethling argues

2016-04-20

From the left are Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Neethling, Prof Rita-Marie Jansen, Vice-Dean, and Dr Brand Claassen, Head of the Department of Private Law.
Photos: Stephen Collett

On 11 April, the Faculty of Law held the first of the year’s series of Prestige Lectures presented by Prof Johann Neethling, Senior Professor in the Department of Private Law. The event was attended by senior faculty members, the Dean of Law Prof, Caroline Nicholson, and the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen.

In his opening remarks, Prof Jansen said “Prestige lectures are at the heart of a university’s academic endeavour. It would serve the university community well to present them more often, as they go to the heart of important issues that affect society”

Prof Neethling made a compelling case for compensation for wrongful suffering by a child born with impairments. Since the mid-1960s, the actions of wrongful conception and wrongful birth have been recognised in South African law. Wrongful conception is defined as when a healthy child is born as a result of failed sterilisation or abortion, and wrongful birth is when a doctor fails to inform parents of a disability before the birth of their child.

“The reality is that a child born with impairments may indeed suffer (sometimes extreme) pain, loss of amenities of life, which would justify an award of damages,” he said.

So far, the action for wrongful suffering has been dismissed by the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal. However, he highlighted several cases where wrongful conception and wrongful birth was recognised by the courts.

“Why can the same approach (for wrongful conception and wrongful birth) not be followed in wrongful suffering claims by accepting that a disabled child seeks to address the consequences of its birth?” he asked.

Prof Neethling is regarded as one of the greatest minds in Private Law, not only in South Africa but in the African continent.

A festschrift, Essays in Honour of Johann Neethling (2015), with contributions from more than 50 of his peers around the world, was also launched at the lecture.

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