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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

Emma Sadleir talks about social media etiquette
2016-05-18

Description: Emma Sadlier Tags: Emma Sadlier

Emma Sadleir
Photo: Supplied

“We have all become celebrities, we have become social figures because of our power to publish information. We have all become brands, and we need to protect our brand. Digital content is sometimes dangerous content,” said Sadleir.

On 11 May 2016, the University of the Free State, in collaboration with the Postgraduate School, hosted, Emma Sadleir, a leading social media expert, in the Equitas Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus. She is an admitted advocate, specialising in social media law.  Dr Henriette van den Berg, Director of the Postgraduate School, described Sadleir’s presentation as a privilege for all the staff and students who attended.

Sadleir said that there are two important rules that staff and students of an institution should try to follow. The first is not to bring the name of the institution into disrepute; and the second is not to breach the goodwill of the institution or, in other words, not to bite the hand that feeds you.

“The common law, even if there is no policy, is that anything that brings the company into disrepute can lead to disciplinary consequences up to termination,” said Sadleir.

Sadleir focused on hate speech and free speech, stating that free speech is a right that is entrenched in the constitution, but, like every other right, it has limitations. She mentioned Penny Sparrow, Matt Theunissen, Velaphi Khumalo, and Judge Mabel Jansen, all of whom have been lambasted by the public over their racist posts on social media. Sadleir stressed that, even on social media, content has to be within the confines of the law, and people must remember our rights are not absolute. We have a lot of freedoms, but no one cannot disseminate hate speech.

“Would you publish whatever you thinking on a billboard, close to a busy highway with your name, picture and employers details or the institution you studying at? If you have no grounds to justify the comment, do not post it,” warned Sadlier.  

According to the South African Bill of Rights, everyone has the right to privacy, but an expectation of privacy has to be enforced. She said people over-document their lives on social media, decreasing your right to privacy drastically. “It is like CCTV footage of your life. It is simple, the more you take care of your privacy, the more you have,” said Sadleir.

Sadleir said it was important for Facebook users to have privacy settings where they can review posts where they are tagged. According to Sadleir, managing your reputation is not only limited to what you post about yourself but also managing what others post about you.

She cited a 2013 case in the Pretoria High Court in which a new wife wrote a scandalous Facebook post about her husband’s ex-wife, tagging the husband in the post. The courts found both the new wife and the husband guilty of defamation.

“If you have been tagged in something but have not been online and seen the content, you are then an innocent disseminator. The moment you are aware of the post you are liable for the content,” said Sadleir.

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently,” Sadleir said, concluding her presentation with the quotation from Warren Buffet.

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