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05 October 2023 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Samkelo Fetile
2023 heritage month
Dr Molapo Qhobela (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact), Zama Zulu (incoming SRC representative for Arts and Culture), , Sibabalo Tokwe (second-year LLB student), Luvuyo Jacobs (former SRC President) and Pule Mmula (final-year Law student).

To mark Heritage Month, the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted a series of events, including the International Cultural Diversity Festival (ICDF), the stage play Mhudi, the iGwijo Festival, and a Cultural Fashion Show and Potjiekos Showcase.

The ICDF centred around the theme 'Internationalising Institutional Culture.' The concept aimed to deepen appreciation and understanding of the diverse cultures that collectively form the university. The festival, a testament to the UFS' commitment to inclusivity and unity, kicked off with an engaging dialogue session facilitated by Dr Molapo Qhobela, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact.

Dr Qhobela, a distinguished scholar and advocate for diversity, set the stage for a stimulating conversation. In his opening remarks, he posed a crucial question: "What are we trying to cultivate within our university to instil a culture of diversity, with a specific focus today on an international dimension?"

Perspectives on institutional culture

The event featured a diverse panel of student representatives who shared insights on institutional culture, diversity, inclusion, and the university's Vision 130 initiatives. Luvuyo Jacobs, former SRC President, recounted the university's efforts to embrace diversity and create a sense of belonging, which resonated deeply with the audience.

Zama Zulu, the incoming SRC representative for Arts and Culture, emphasised the ever-evolving nature of culture and its ability to redefine itself. She highlighted how the arts can bridge cultural divides and facilitate dialogue. Meanwhile, Sibabalo Tokwe, a second-year LLB student, stressed the importance of creating a welcoming environment for all students from a residential perspective. In addition, Pule Mmula, a final-year Law student, discussed how institutional policies and strategies shape campus culture, and praised the Vision 130 initiatives.

The session concluded with Jacobs emphasising the continuous journey towards internationalisation. He urged for increased investment in showcasing local talent globally, welcoming international talent, and fostering academic and institutional inclusivity.

Mhudi weaves a tapestry of diversity

Mhudi – War is easy, Love is hard, a play directed by Moagi Modise, breathed life into Sol Plaatje's 1920 vision of a harmonious South Africa where people weave rich cultural and productive tapestries through interaction, love, and dignity. The play addressed the profound impact of avoidable divisions and wars on individuals and communities and encouraged diversity. Mhudi challenged audiences to actively participate in the creation of diverse, inclusive, productive, and caring university communities. 

iGwijo – a festival like none other

Prof Colin Chasi, Director of the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, extended his gratitude to all who participated, and reflected on the Gwijo Festival.  “The Gwijo Festival was a resounding success. It showed how integrated work between different divisions of the university can move mountains. The Arts and Culture Office, Residence Life, and the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice were all involved. Above all, our remarkable students led the way with their creativity, talent, and willingness to rethink the UFS’ sound aesthetic and to place UFS values at the core of the festival.”

He further commented, “The festival showcased the creative and diverse UFS student culture. The festival highlighted the values that our students have been re-articulating. It presented a window into how UFS students in residences have been rethinking their values, symbols, and cultures in line with Vision 130.' 

News Archive

Game farming a lens to analyse challenges facing democratic SA – Dr Kamuti
2017-05-30

 Description: Dr Kamuti Tags: Dr Kamuti

Dr Tariro Kamuti, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre
for Africa Studies at the University of the Free State.
Photo: Rulanzen Martin

One of the challenges facing South Africa’s developing game farming policy is the fractured state in the governance of the private game farming sector, says Dr Tariro Kamuti.

Dr Kamuti, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Africa Studies (CAS) at the University of the Free State (UFS), was presenting a seminar on Wednesday 17 May 2017 under the topic, Private Wildlife Governance in a Context of Radical Uncertainty: Challenges of South Africa’s Developing Game Farming Policy, which takes material from his PhD. He received his PhD from both the Vrije University in Amsterdam and the UFS in 2016.

His presentation explored how the private game industry positions itself in accordance with existing agricultural and environmental regulations. It also investigated the state’s response to the challenge of competing needs over land and wildlife resources which is posed by the gaming sector. “The transformation of the institutional processes mediating governance of the private game farming sector has been a long and enduring arrangement emerging organically over time,” Dr Kamuti said.

Game farming links wildlife and agricultural sectors
“I decided on this topic to highlight that game farming links the wildlife sector (associated with conservation and tourism) and the agricultural sector. Both make use of land whose resources need to be sustainably utilised to meet a broad spectrum of needs for the diverse South African population.

“The continuous skewed ownership of land post-1994 justifies questioning of the role of the state in confronting challenges of social justice and transformation within the economy.”

“Game farming can thus be viewed as a lens through which to study the broad challenges facing a democratic South Africa, and to interrogate the regulatory and policy framework in the agricultural and wildlife sectors at their interface,” Dr Kamuti said.

Challenges facing game farming policies
The state alone does not apply itself to the regulation of private gaming as a sector. “There is no clear direction on the position of private game farming at the interface of environmental and agricultural regulations, hence game farmers take advantage of loopholes in these institutional arrangements to forge ahead,” Dr Kamuti said.

He further went on to say that the state lacked a coherent plan for the South African countryside, “as shown by the outstanding land restitution and labour tenant claims on privately owned land earmarked for wildlife production”.

The South African government was confronted with a context in which the status quo of the prosperity of the middle classes under neoliberal policies was pitted against the urgent need to improve the material well-being of the majority poor.  Unless such issues were addressed, this necessarily undermined democracy as a participatory social force, Dr Kamuti said.

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