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

#FaceOfFacebook 2015/2016
2015-04-13

Vote for your favourite before 16 April at 16:00

Kovsies #FaceOfFacebook was born from the need to communicate with students, and thus become a virtual friend. Yearly auditions are held to choose the new face representing the UFS on Facebook. The successful candidate holds the title of #FaceOfFacebook for the next 12 months, attending events, and filming short video clips to post on our Facebook page.

Here are our top six:

  1. Cayley Ann Butcher (http://on.fb.me/1CNKzLj)
  2. Nompumelelo Maseko (http://on.fb.me/1NwWMPD)
  3. Thandiwe Nku (http://on.fb.me/1z9AwiW)
  4. Tshepiso Nkosi (http://on.fb.me/1FNEK4F)
  5. Liteboho Bohloa (DJ Heavy D) (http://on.fb.me/1FBJJ62)
  6. Reabetswe Mokone (http://on.fb.me/1NwW2tP)

The next phase of our #FaceOfFacebook auditions involves you. Go to the UFS Facebook page to view the videos of our Top Six contestants, and like your favourite. Each like will count as a vote.
And, in the words of one of our contestants: "Do the right thing; tell a friend to tell a friend that Kovsies' #FaceOfFacebook is on again."

Deadline for voting is 16 April 2015 at 16:00.

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