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#YouthMonth: UFS makes strides in youth career development

30 June 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied

CareerHub: connecting UFS students to dream jobs

In response to the alarming rate of unemployment facing South Africa's young population, the government has launched various youth development and empowerment projects as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, aiming to encourage greater youth participation in the economy.

To combat the high rate of graduate unemployment, the University of the Free State (UFS) Career Services in the Division of Student Affairs plans to launch the CareerHub on 3 July 2023. CareerHub is an innovative job portal aimed at revolutionising the job search process and connecting employers with highly qualified UFS candidates. The platform boasts a wide range of opportunities, collaborates with reputable companies, offers advanced search filters, and enables employers to create detailed company profiles to attract top talent. Job seekers can personalise their search criteria and set preferences to streamline their job search.

UFS Youth Month campaign

Highlighting the positive impact of the UFS in youth career development, the institution's Department of Communication and Marketing launched a campaign in June 2023 aimed at showcasing the success stories of alumni who have studied at the university and are now employed by the institution.

One such success story is Katleho Lechoo, who joined the UFS as an undergraduate student and is now a football administrator in KovsieSport. Lechoo's journey exemplifies his commitment to excellence, having served as the President of the Institutional Student Representative Council during his time as a student. Reflecting on his experiences, Lechoo expressed gratitude for the opportunities to contribute positively and to make a difference in the UFS community.

“I was recently elected as the youngest Institutional Forum member at the University of the Free State. A position I look at and remind myself that – apart from my ordinary position at the university – I also have an opportunity to contribute and influence the space positively and otherwise for its benefit. I wake up knowing that I have yet another day to do good unto others as I would expect from them. And to sum up my experience thus far? As Roy T Bennett simply puts it: ‘Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience’,” said Lechoo.

Annelize Kruger shared Lechoo’s sentiments. Kruger graduated in 2020 with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and now serves as a lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She credits the UFS for providing her with a solid foundation to excel in her profession and to contribute to the training of future occupational therapists.

Maximising impact through the SDG lens

The introduction of CareerHub aligns with the UFS' Vision 130 strategy, which aims to maximise societal impact and contribute to the development of the Free State and South Africa. The platform addresses a pressing local issue – youth unemployment – by leveraging the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for assessing societal impact.

SDG Goal eight, focusing on Decent Work and Economic Growth, highlights the importance of providing young people with opportunities for decent jobs. This involves investing in quality education and training, matching skills with market demands, ensuring social protection and basic services, and promoting equal opportunities for productive employment, irrespective of gender, income level, or socio-economic background.

WATCH: UFS ends Youth Month on a high note with a performance from the 1992 film Sarafina!

News Archive

21 Icons: 21 Years of Freedom Collection at the University of the Free State

2015-09-02

In Prayer and Protest - Sophia Williams De Bruyn

The Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, in partnership with 21 Icons, is hosting the 21 Years of Freedom Collection, an exhibition specially curated for the University of the Free State.
21 Icons celebrates a heroic past and inspires a hopeful future. The project was launched in 2013 as an initiative that uses film, photography and written narrative to celebrate the lives of extraordinary South Africans. It highlights people who have been catalysts in shaping society, on a local or global level and across a variety of contexts: in a social, political, environmental or artistic sense.

It is the brainchild of internationally renowned photographer and filmmaker Adrian Steirn, whose primary source of inspiration was the life of Nelson Mandela. In one way or another, all of the men and women featured in the project have extended his legacy, making a magnificent impact on South Africa and beyond.

Beautiful Sacrifice - Albie Sachs

21 Years of Freedom features 21 icons from the first and second seasons of the project. It includes the last official photographic portrait of Nelson Mandela and many of his friends and fellow struggle heroes. Behind each portrait lies a carefully planned concept that captures the essence of each icon, capturing their spirit and distinct legacy.

Among the other extraordinary South Africans featured in this collection, are struggle icons Ahmed Kathrada and Advocate George Bizos, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, human rights and environmental activist Kumi Naidoo, celebrated storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, activist and musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka, gender activist Sophia Williams De Bruyn and artist William Kentridge.

The Full Report - Zubeida Jaffer

The 21 Icons was created as a movement for positive change. By sharing the stories of iconic South African men and women, the intention is to inspire new generations to follow in their footsteps. With the country celebrating 21 years of democracy but still grabbling with injustices, the message that everyone can do something to make a difference, is portrayed in these powerful and inspiring stories.

Writer-in-residence and well-respected journalist, Zubeida Jaffer, who features among the collection of 21 striking photographs, opened the exhibition saying, “I feel like I’m surrounded by a circle of energy from which I have been fortunate to draw strength …It’s a choice that we make…whether to draw energy from those who are positive and forward looking or to surround ourselves with people who are fearful. There is a lot to be fearful about in our country. We have lived through very fearful and difficult times. But to cope with these times, those people and many others have kept their focus on hope. They have kept their focus on what is possible…and what we would like South Africa to be in the future.”

For more information on 21 Icons: 21 Years of Freedom Collection contact the Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery at +27 (0)51 401 2706 or dejesusav@ufs.ac.za

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