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HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right

29 March 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba

Human Rights UFS news — 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

Parent Day on 3 December 2011

2011-11-30

University. What happens next?

Is the campus a safe environment for my child? What will be expected from me as parent once my child arrives here? When and where should my child register and what does Kovsies offer him/her?

The University of the Free State (UFS) is aware of the fact that parents have continuous questions when their children enter the grown-up world for the first time.

Therefore the UFS offers parents or guardians the opportunity to ask these questions.

As part of Student Affairs’ Gateway programme, the UFS will host a Parent’s Day at the Bloemfontein Campus on Saturday 3 December 2011. Parents or guardians of prospective students will be able to find out more about everything the UFS offers, how students can get involved in organisations, when and where registration takes place and what life in a residence is like today, etc.

Mrs Cornelia Faasen, Senior Officer: Learning Communities and Orientation, says the Parent Day will enable parents to assist their children with the transition between school and university and make it easier for them.

“This Parent Day has been successfully hosted in 2010 for the first time. Students are facing far greater demands, responsibilities and challenges than they did at school. Parents need to better understand the university environment in order to have better insight into the world their children are entering into.”

The programme for the day includes several presentations on admissions, finances and scholarships, residences and more. There will also be a question-and-answer session with the heads of faculties.

Date: Saturday 3 December 2011

Time: 10:00-14:00

Place: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein Campus

For more information, contact Ms. Cornelia Faasen at faasen@ufs.ac.za or +27(0)51 401 9102

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