Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

UFS presents symposium on serious violent crime
2007-02-28

The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) is hosting a symposium on serious violent crime in South Africa on Wednesday, 7 March 2007.
 
“The symposium aims to provide stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on and propose solutions to combat violent crime in South Africa,” said Prof Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.
 
According to Prof Henning perspectives on violent crimes from a psychological, business, constitutional and agricultural perspective will be given. “The themes to be discussed are amongst others the nature and extent of serious and violent crime in South Africa and the effect thereof, the reasons for violent crime and the role of the Constitution. Possible solutions will be put to the table to combat serious violent crime and there will also be an open session for input from the general public,” said Prof Henning.
 
Speakers who already confirmed to participate in the symposium include Dr  Matthews Phosa (former politician and now businessman), Mr Roelf Meyer (former minister of constitutional affairs and chairperson of the Civil Community Initiative), Dr Leon Wessels (National Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission), Judge Nathan Erasmus (Inspecting Judge of Prison Services), Mr Kiewiet Ferreira (convener of law and order from AGRISA) and Commissioner André Pruis (Deputy Commissioner of Operational Services at the South African Police Services).
 
Appeal court judge Fritz Brand and Judge Faan Hancke, chairperson of the UFS Council, will be the chairpersons of the symposium.
 
The symposium will be presented from 08:00-13:30 in the CR Swart Auditorium on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Attendance is free of charge. Those who are interested can call Prof Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer (051 401 2268) or Adv Jaco de Bruin (051 401 2433) to book a seat.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
6 February 2007
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept