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19 June 2023 | Story Sfundo Mazibuko | Photo Supplied
Sfundo Mazibuko
Sfundo Mazibuko is a Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Intern in the Qwaqwa Campus Health and Wellness Centre

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.

Sfundo Mazibuko, Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Intern in the Qwaqwa Campus Health and Wellness Centre, shares his UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: My graduation year is 2023.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching, majoring in social sciences and life skills.

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

A: March 2023.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: Data Capture Intern in the Health and Wellness Centre.

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

A: Since I started working as a UFS staff member, I have gained skills in collaborating with colleagues, administration skills, data capturing skills, client welcoming skills, confidentiality skills, and time management skills.

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

A: Working at the UFS is an incredibly rewarding experience, with ample career advancement opportunities, a focus on work-life balance, comprehensive benefits, a collaborative work culture, and a commitment to making a positive impact. The UFS nurtures its employees' growth through professional development programmes, offers flexible work arrangements, provides competitive perks, fosters inclusivity and teamwork, and actively engages in philanthropic initiatives. Joining the UFS means embarking on a fulfilling journey of personal and professional growth.

News Archive

Kovsie conquers Googlefest Zurich pitching competition
2014-07-29

  

Marlize Holtzhauzen
Photo: Supplied

Marlize Holtzhauzen, a final-year Business Management and Leadership student at the UFS Business School, was recently awarded the 1st prize at the Google pitching competition in Zurich, Switzerland.

Holtzhauzen’s winning entry, Rapid Response, is a mobile application for use in emergency situations. In an emergency the application allows the phone to be used as a panic button which contacts emergency services and notifies the family of the user. The app, co-founded by Gerrit Cloete, was selected as one of 10 South African technology start-ups. These were part of the Swiss South African Business Development Programme under the auspices of the Swiss South African Joint Research Programme.

Since its launch on 1 July 2014, the Rapid Response app has had over 400 downloads and is available on app stores. It has also stirred interest in Europe and the USA and is already in use in Southern and East Africa. Holtzhauzen says good team work and a great product will ensure the success of this start-up in the future.

Other South African entries included Drew van der Riet from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): Advanced Prosthetics Engineering. Gavin Jones of the University of Cape Town (UCT) also entered. He is a Technology Commercialisation practitioner candidate working on the commercialisation of a UCT innovation for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

For more information contact Marlize on +27(0)83 3270 177 or visit the website www.rapidresponse.co.za .


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