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17 October 2023 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Nonsindiso Qwabe
Mokitlane Manyarela
Mokitlane Manyarela reflects on his 41-year journey with the UFS Qwaqwa Campus

He has seen the many changing faces of the Qwaqwa Campus, and four decades later, Mokitlane Manyarela says he would not have it any other way.

Fondly known on campus as ‘Ntate Manyarela’, he has been with the campus for 41 years, having started on 1 January 1982 at the ripe age of 18 years. Manyarela recently received a long-service award for 36 years of service, dating back to when the campus moved to its current location from where it started at Lere la Tshepe in 1982.

He recalls arriving at the campus offices in town in 1982 seeking employment, as there were no “buildings or campus” back then.

“I started working as a general worker because there was nothing else to do. All the university’s content would come from Turfloop in those days. As time went by, I worked in the reprographic section, printing exam papers. That was my first official job until the campus moved in 1988 to where we’re now located. All the buildings that are now filling this campus were constructed right in front of my eyes,” he said.

He went on to work for various departments on the campus, such as procurement, cashiers, and finance. In 2007, he joined the transport department, and that is where he is still working as an assistant officer. “What’s made me stay this long is not getting into fights with anyone and always following instructions given to me. I’ve worked under many different bosses, and I believe that none of them have anything negative to say about me. Therefore, I can say I’ve never had a reason to leave because everything I’ve done, I have done wholeheartedly.”

Manyarela said the university also afforded his wife and children the opportunity to obtain their degrees, which is something he considers a huge achievement. “All that I have has been achieved at this institution. It’s been a wonderful journey. I have no complaints, and I am content. I’ve reached my old age here. I don’t know any other job or work environment; this place has become like home to me, and I’m prepared to still give my all to this university, even though old age is now catching up with me.”

News Archive

From disregard to acknowledgment - the role of the Griekwas in South Africa
2006-03-09

The University of the Free Sate (UFS) is working in conjunction with the Griekwa nation on an initiative titled: From disregard to acknowledgment - the role of the Griekwas in South Africa.

The Griekwa National Conference (GNC) requested that research be conducted in conjunction with the UFS on various aspects linked to the Griekwa language, -culture, -history, - leadership, their role in the South African community (past and present) and the conservation of their historical cultural heritages. Four possible research focus areas  have been established, namely a documentary film, the Adam Kok house, ethno historical research and reading material for Griekwa leaders.

A historical meeting took place yesterday at the UFS where the Supreme Chief of the Griekwa nation was present. From left are Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), Chief Cecil le Fleur, (chairperson of the chiefs council of the GNC), Supreme Chief Alan Andrew le Fleur I, Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chief Director: Community Service) and Prof Piet Erasmus (Department of Anthropology at the UFS).
Photo:  Leonie Bolleurs

 

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