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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

Twenty years of the constitution of South Africa – cause for celebration and reflection
2016-05-11

Description: Judge Azar Cachalia Tags: Judge Azar Cachalia

Judge Azar Cachalia

The University of the Free State’s Centre for Human Rights and the Faculty of Law held the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the South African Constitution on 11 May 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus.  Students and faculty members celebrated and reflected on not only the achievements of the constitution but also on perspectives regarding its relevance in modern society, and to what extent it has upheld the human rights of all citizens of South Africa.

The panel discussion started with a presentation on the pre-1996 perspective by Judge Azar Cachalia of the Supreme Court of Appeal.  Judge Cachalia reflected on his role in the realisation and upholding of the constitution, from his days as a student activist, then as an attorney representing detainees during political turmoil, and currently as a judge: “My role as an attorney was to defend people arrested for public violence. My role as a judge today is to uphold the constitution.”  He stressed the importance of the constitution today, and the responsibility institutions such as the police service have in upholding human rights.  Judge Cachalia played a significant role in drafting the new Police Act around 1990, an Act which was to ensure that the offences perpetrated by the police during apartheid did not continue in the current democratic era. Further, he pointed out that societal turmoil has the potential to make society forget about the hard work that was put into structures upholding human rights. “Constitutions are drafted in moments of calm.  It is a living document, and we hope it is not torn up when we go through social conflict, such as we are experiencing at present.”

Thobeka Dywili, a Law student at the UFS, presented her views from the new generation’s perspective.  She relayed her experience as a student teaching human rights at schools in disadvantaged communities. She realised that, although the youth are quite aware of their basic human rights, after so many years of democracy, “women and children are still seen as previously disadvantaged when they should be equal”. She pointed out that, with the changing times, the constitution needs to be looked at with a new set of eyes, suggesting more robust youth engagement on topics that affect them, using technology to facilitate discussions. She said with the help of social media, it is possible for a simple discussion to become a revolution; #feesmustfall was a case in point.

Critical perspectives on the constitution were presented by Tsepo Madlingozi of University of Pretoria and University of London. In his view, the constitution has not affected policy to the extent that it should, with great disparities in our society and glaring issues, such as lack of housing for the majority of the poor.  “Celebration of the constitution should be muted, as the constitution is based on a decolonisation approach, and does not directly address the needs of the poor. The Constitutional Court is not pro-poor.”  He posed the question of whether twenty years on, the present government has crafted a new society successfully.  “We have moved from apartheid to neo-apartheid, as black elites assimilate into the white world, and the two worlds that exist have not been able to stand together as a reflection of what the constitution stands for.”

Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, encouraged more open discussions, saying such dialogues are exactly what was intended by the Centre for Human Rights. She emphasised the importance of exchanging ideas, of allowing people to speak freely, and of sharing perspectives on important issues such as the constitution and human rights.

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