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30 November 2023 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Nomasonto Skosana
Dr Maréve Biljohn

In a proactive move to address the escalating issue of substance abuse in Mangaung, the Public Service Commission (PSC) partnered with the University of the Free State (UFS) to host a roundtable discussion. The event, held on 23 November 2023 at the Centenary Complex on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, brought together key stakeholders, including Gadija Brown (MEC for Finance in the Free State), Dr Henk Boshoff (Commissioner of the PSC in the Free State), and Dr Maréve Biljohn (Head of Department for Public Administration and Management in the EMS Faculty at the UFS). Also present were representatives from Mangaung communities and various government bodies.  

Addressing the root cause

The primary objective of the roundtable was to collaboratively devise effective solutions to combat the growing challenge of substance abuse in Mangaung. Sisa Mlisana, Provincial Director of the PSC, highlighted the link between high crime rates and drug abuse, emphasising the need for a strategic approach to address these issues.  The initiative stemmed from a citizen’s forum hosted by the PSC in 2022, aiming to establish a connection between community members and government, particularly emphasising the correlation between substance abuse and crime.

Dr Boshoff elaborated on the purpose of the roundtable, emphasising the gathering of inputs from all the participants. The engagement session facilitated a dialogue between community members and a panel of officials, including representatives from the Free State Provincial Government, South African Police Service, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Social Development, Department of Education, Department of Health, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) in the Free State. This forum allowed community members from various organisations to express their concerns and experiences regarding living in areas affected by substance abuse, with the panel providing insights and responses. 

Challenges and solutions

Community members voiced concerns about the presence of drugs in their communities not officially recognised as illegal in South Africa, leading to challenges in legal proceedings against dealers and consumers with those perpetrators being acquitted. However, the discussion also yielded potential solutions, with some community members expressing a willingness to actively participate in street-level interventions.  

Notably, recovered drug addicts present at the roundtable shared their success stories and commitment to being part of the solution. Gadija Brown commended their efforts and celebrated their triumph over substance abuse. 

Resolutions and commitments

As the discussion progressed, a comprehensive plan of action was formulated, encompassing grievances and solutions from both parties. Dr Boshoff described the plan as a binding roadmap with tangible and practical resolutions. The PSC pledged to monitor and ensure the implementation of commitments made during the roundtable discussions. 
Gadija Brown: MEC for Finance in the Free State.
Gadija Brown: MEC for Finance in the Free State.
Dr C Van Wyk: Programme Director; Department of Social Work at the UFS.
Dr C Van Wyk: Programme Director; Department of Social Work at the UFS.
The audience is provided an opportunity to engage with the panel.
The audience is provided an opportunity to engage with the panel.
The government officials which formed part of the panel engagement session.
The government officials which formed part of the panel engagement session.
From left to right: Sisa Mlisana: Provincial Director of the PSC and Dr Henk Boshoff: Commissioner of the PSC in the Free State.
From left to right: Sisa Mlisana: Provincial Director of the PSC and Dr Henk Boshoff: Commissioner of the PSC in the Free State.

News Archive

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
2006-05-08

Some of the guests attending the launch of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus were from the left Prof Peter Mbati (Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus), Mrs Zimbini Zwane ( Communications Manager of Sasol Infrachem), Prof Gerhardt  de Klerk (Dean : UFS Faculty of the Humanities), Prof Fred Hugo
 Director of TRAC SA) and Prof Jack van der Linde (Director of RIEP at the UFS).

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus

The Research Institute for Education Planning (RIEP) of the University of the Free State (UFS) today unveiled the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at its Qwaqwa campus.

The laboratory will be used to help grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and educators from the Qwaqwa region to conduct the experiments from the physical sciences outcome-based curriculum.

“The Sasol TRAC Laboratory introduces learners not only to the latest technology used by engineers and other scientists in practice but also to stimulate the learner’s interest in the field of science in such a way that more of them will enter into science related careers,” says Mr Cobus van Breda, Co-ordinator of the TRAC Free State Regional Centre.

According to Mr van Breda the newly established Sasol TRAC Laboratory will enable RIEP to train learners and their educators in Physical Sciences.  The laboratory will consist of six work stations equipped with computers and electronic sensors.

“Learners from the Qwaqwa region will visit the Sasol TRAC Laboratory on regular basis to conduct experiments based on the curriculum.  Data will be collected with electronic apparatus and presented as graphs on the computer so that results can be analysed and interpreted,” says Mr van Breda.

“There is a serious shortage of suitable qualified teachers in maths and science in the Qwaqwa region.  Many schools in the region are not yet part of the RIEP project and are in dire need of assistance.  A large number of these schools are in remote areas not reached regularly by intervention programmes,” says Prof Peter Mbati, Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.

“The establishment of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the Qwaqwa Campus provides us the opportunity to engage with our community and assist in the development and training of these vital education subjects.  We are pleased that Sasol agreed to fund the project,” says Prof Mbati.

Students from the Qwaqwa Campus will also benefit from the TRAC programme.   “Some promising students will also undergo further training and become assistants for the TRAC programme,” says Prof Mbati. 

“Nurturing science and mathematical skills is of great importance in growing our national economy. Annually, Sasol invests more than R50 million in supporting mathematical and science education in South Africa. Our primary aim is to increase the number of learners gaining access to tertiary education in the science fields. Therefore, our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) education interventions at secondary school level focus on educator development and direct learner interventions such as the Sasol TRAC Laboratory,” explains Ms Pamilla Mudhray, CSI and SHARP manager at Sasol.

According to Ms Mudhray the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement for physical sciences in the further education and training (FET) phase from 2006, under resourced schools will need greater access to the tools and equipment necessary to teach the syllabus and fulfil the ideals of the curriculum.

TRAC South Africa is a national non-profit programme focused on supporting and expanding science, mathematics and technology education in secondary schools. The programme was first introduced to South Africa in 1994. In 2005, RIEP established the TRAC Free State regional centre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 May 2006

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