Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
29 March 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba
On 22 March 2023 students gathered on the Bloemfontein Campus for a celebration honouring Human Rights Day.

“As people we have the right to feel safe within the environment in which we live, no matter the circumstances. We cannot walk on the streets being fearful of what might transpire. We have the SAPS which has the constitutional obligation to make sure we feel safe. On campus as students, we also have access to Protection Services, which is tasked with ensuring our safety. It is crucial to understand that we have this section 12 right to safety, because safety is not a privilege, it’s a right,” said Lutho Makhofola during a human rights celebration held on the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus on 22 March 2023.

Lutho, a fourth year LLB student, is one of many Human Rights ambassadors who are part of the Free State Centre for Human Rights (FSCHR) which hosted the Human Rights Day celebration. The ambassadors led a dialogue with other fellow students under the national theme: ‘Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future’. In addition to robust discussions, students also tested their knowledge of the with a quiz before signing a pledge committing themselves to becoming livelong advocates for human rights.

Remembering 1960

Dr Annelie De Man, Coordinator in the Advocacy Division of the FSCHR, said the event was about celebrating the present while reflecting on the past. “The aim is to raise awareness around matters of human rights in celebration of Human Rights Day observed on 21 March.” 

Human Rights Day in South Africa commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre which took place on 21 March 1960 where 69 died and 180 were injured when police opened fire on a crowd that had gathered to peacefully protest the pass laws. We now have the opportunity to contemplate on South Africa’s road to democracy, the realisation of change, and the advancement of human rights awareness both in the academic setting and society at large since this significant day in our nation's history unfolded 63 years ago.

Significance for students

According to Limeque Redgard, Student Assistant at the FSCHR and a former Human Rights ambassador, the purpose of the FSCHR Human Rights Day commemorative event was to inform and educate students about their rights, particularly the rights that apply to the university setting, to encourage reflection on those rights and how to exercise them responsibly.

“I believe that such events are important for students because we are in such a diverse space within the university, therefore such events bring us together for a common purpose and allow us to celebrate each other's diversity. Furthermore, the goal is to equip students for the world.”

News Archive

Inauguration: Download speeches and media releases
2009-10-17

Speeches

  • Verklaring van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Viserektor: Akademiese Bedryf (Afrikaans)
    Download, Word format

     
  • Declaration by the University of the Free State Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Vice-Rector: Academic Operations (English)
    Download, Word format

     
  • E Balwa ke Profesara Teuns Verschoor, Motlatsa Morektoro: Botsamaisi ba Dithuto (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

  • Bekendstelling van Prof. Jonathan D Jansen - Regter Faan Hancke, Voorsitter van die UV-Raad (Afrikaans)
    Download, Word format

     
  • Introduction of Prof. Jonathan D Jansen - Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council (English)
    Download, Word format

     
  • Ho tsebiswa ha Profesara Jonathan D Jansen - Moahlodi Faan Hancke, Modulasetulo wa Lekgotla la Yunivesithi ya Freistata (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

  • Inhuldigingstoespraak van die 13de Rektor en Visekanselier van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) Vir ’n tyd soos hierdie - Prof. Jonathan D Jansen (Afrikaans)
    Download, Word format

     
  • Inaugural speech of the 13th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), For such a time as this - Prof. Jonathan D Jansen (English)
    Download, Word format

     
  • Thuto ya Tlhomamiso ya Motlatsa Mokanseliri ebile e le Rektoro ya bo 13 ya univesithi ya Freistata. Bakeng sa nako e kang - ena Jonathan D Jansen (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

Media Releases

  • “Ons maak nou die boek oor Reitz toe,” sê nuwe UV Rektor (Afrikaans)
    Download,Word format

     
  • “We are closing the book on Reitz,” says new UFS Rector (English)
    Download, Word format

     
  • “Re kwala buka ka Reitz” ho realo Morektoro ya motjha wa UFS (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

  • Nuwe Rektor kondig verandering in koshuise aan (Afrikaans)
    Download, Word format

     
  • New UFS Rector announces changes to residences (English)
    Download, Word format

     
  • New UFS Rector announces changes to residences (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

  • “Onbeskaamd elitisties,” sê nuwe UV Rektor oor visie vir Kovsies (Afrikaans)
    Download, Word format

     
  • “Unashamedly elitist,” says new UFS Rector of vision for Kovsies (English)
    Download,Word format

     
  • “Ha re itshwabele ka bokakalope” ho realo Morektoro ya motjha wa UFS Rector ka pono bakeng sa Kovsies (Sesotho)
    Download, Word format

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept