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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

Intravarsity starts with a rhythm!

2012-05-04

Students on our Bloemfontein Campus took part in a flashmob at the start of Intravarsity.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
4 May 2012

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Programme (pdf format)

It is Kovsie against Kovsie today and Saturday, 4 and 5 May 2012, with students from our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses competing against each other during Intravarsity.

The inter-campus competition replaces the Intervarsity 2012 programme and will be held on the Bloemfontein Campus. The annual Intervarsity between the Universities of the Free State and North-West (NWU), which traditionally takes place in the third term, has been postponed to 2013.

Students from the two campuses will compete in sports activities like basketball, cross country, netball and soccer. Arts and culture, and leadership events between the two campuses are also planned.

The action started at 14:00 today. At 15:30, residence soccer teams take to the field and later, at 18:40, there is a debating competition.

Saturday’s activities include a leadership breakfast for student leaders and a Wheelchair Rally that takes place in the Kovsie Student Church parking area. The big sporting event for the day is the men and ladies soccer teams from the two campuses taking each other on. The programme concludes with an Intravarsity Music festival starting at 18:30 and continuing until 24:00.

Friday 4 May 2012 has been scheduled as a lecture-free day and Monday 7 May 2012 as a test-free day.

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