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17 October 2023 | Story Veena Naidoo | Photo Kimara Singh
Jerry Laka - Maties Sport Kimara Singh
Jerry Laka, UFS KovsieSport Director and newly appointed USSA President.

In the vibrant world of university sport, the University of the Free State celebrates the appointment of Jerry Laka as the President of University Sport South Africa (USSA). With an extensive background spanning 28 years in the realm of sports administration and a stellar portfolio, Laka brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to this esteemed position.

A presidential ascent – a commitment to sporting excellence 

USSA is the governing body for higher education sports in South Africa, holding membership in regulatory bodies such as the Federation of African Union Sports (FASU) and the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The process to become the USSA President entails being a staff member or student at a university that is a member of USSA. The nomination is open to all members, and candidates are selected based on their knowledge, experience, and expertise within the sports environment. Laka, with his profound dedication and experience, emerged as the deserving candidate for this prestigious position.

Reflecting on his appointment, Laka shared, "While I wouldn't say I anticipated the outcome, I did believe in the vision I have and the positive impact it could have on the sporting landscape." He expressed his excitement to work in collaboration with the executive committee, stakeholders, athletes, and sports enthusiasts to elevate sports both on and off the field. His passion for university sport – a beacon of hope in the country, region, and continent – drives his commitment to lead USSA to even greater heights.

The vision for sporting excellence in higher education 

Laka envisions a future where sport in South Africa flourishes, emphasising the seamless transition of athletes from schools to universities, eventually fuelling national federations. His vision for USSA includes fostering inclusivity, expanding membership, and increasing participation in programmes. He highlights the importance of development and capacitation for students and staff, with a strategic focus on inclusivity through decentralisation and active provincial committees.

Laka underlined his vision, stating, "USSA needs to be intentional about being a student-centred organisation." His dedication to student welfare and empowerment is central to this vision, propelling USSA forward to becoming a leading student-focused sports organisation.

A harmonious balance 

Speaking about his role as the Director of KovsieSport and that of President of USSA, Laka confidently stated, "The role at USSA will enhance my knowledge and network of the sports environment. This dual role is an opportunity to augment the positive work being done at the university, and to further showcase the remarkable accomplishments of KovsieSport.” 

A beacon of sports dedication 

Laka, a sports devotee at heart, currently serves as the Director of KovsieSport at the University of the Free State. His remarkable journey in the world of sports administration has seen him hold significant roles in esteemed institutions such as Vista University, the University of the Western Cape, the FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, the SAFA Senior Women’s National Team, Tshwane University of Technology, and Stellenbosch University, before joining the UFS. His extensive academic qualifications, including an advanced diploma in Sports Management, BA Honours in Sport and Recreation Management, and a Master of Management focusing on talent retention in a university sports environment, showcase his commitment to academic and professional excellence.

Moreover, his dedication is evidenced by his involvement in leadership roles, such as Secretary General of the Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) and as a member of the South African Universities Heads of Sport forum. His experiences both locally and internationally have uniquely positioned him to make invaluable contributions to universities and the broader spectrum of sports administration.

Laka’s journey from a passionate sports devotee to a prominent leader in the sports administration domain exemplifies dedication, expertise, and vision. The university eagerly anticipates witnessing the positive impact Laka will make on the landscape of university sports in South Africa. Laka's presidency promises a future of enhanced opportunities, inclusivity, and excellence within university sports, aligning perfectly with the values and aspirations of the university. 

News Archive

Historians must place African history on world stage – Dr Zeleza
2017-05-30

 Description: Historians must place African history on world stage Tags: Historians must place African history on world stage

From the left: Panellists Rev Henry Jackson,
Prof Irikidzayi Manase and Arno Van Niekerk at a book
launch and panel discussion on Africa Day hosted by the
UFS Sasol Library.
Photo: Mamosa Makaya

“African historians must take seriously the challenge of placing African history in world history, and in the history of our species, Homo sapiens.”

With these words, Dr Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Vice Chancellor of the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, stressed the continent’s challenge.

According to him the contest should continue to recover and reconstruct Africa’s long history. Liberating African knowledges can be done by: “Provincialising Europe that has monopolised universality, universalising Africa beyond its Eurocentric provincialisation, and engaging histories of other continents on their own terms.”

University celebrates Africa Month in various ways  
Dr Zeleza delivered the ninth Africa Day Memorial Lecture, titled The Decolonisation of African Knowledges, at the University of the Free State (UFS). The lecture, hosted by the Centre for Africa Studies (CAS), took place on 24 May 2017 in the Equitas Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus and was one of the ways in which the UFS celebrated Africa Month.

Scholars should immerse themselves in these thoughts
Dr Zeleza focused on two issues, which he said were interconnected. They were the unfinished project of decolonising African knowledges and the continent's positioning in global knowledge production.

He said Africa’s scholars and students should “immerse themselves in the rich traditions of African social thought going back millennia”. According to him the continent’s research profile still remains weak in global terms.

“It is imperative that the various key stakeholders in African higher education from governments to the general public to parents, and to students, faculty, staff, and administrators in the academic institutions themselves, raise the value proposition of African higher education for 21st century African societies, economies, and polities.”

“Colonialism is associated with injustice
and inequality, but what happens when
our liberators become our oppressors?”

Library celebrates with panel discussion and book launch
The UFS Sasol Library celebrated Africa Day by presenting a book launch and panel discussion on 25 May 2017, on the pertinent and current political theme of land redistribution with a comparative basis of land invasions in Zimbabwe.

Prof Irikidzayi Manase discussed his book White Narratives: The Depiction of Post-2000 Land Invasions in Zimbabwe, accompanied by Rev Henry Jackson who wrote Another Farm in Africa. A perspective of the economic implications of land redistribution in South Africa was discussed by panellist Arno Van Niekerk: Senior Lecturer of Economics at the UFS Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Inequality still an African problem
The content of the books are a stark reminder of the burning issues of inequality and loss of identity of those who lost their farms in Zimbabwe, a collection of memoirs by white farmers and their families. Rev Jackson gave a religious perspective on reconciliation, forgiveness and the question of land ownership, saying that healing of injustice begins with forgiveness of past transgressions.

Van Niekerk highlighted that while land issues were important, “social cohesion is affected by the economic decisions that will be made”. In closing, Prof Manase called for serious consideration of what the future may hold. “Colonialism is associated with injustice and inequality, but what happens when our liberators become our oppressors?” 

The panel discussion was attended by staff and students of the university, and was lit up by robust discussions on possible historical and future solutions to the question of land, decolonisation and political power struggles in Southern Africa and lessons to be learned from Zimbabwe.

UFS celebrates Africa Month (24 May 2017)

 

 

 

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