Latest News Archive

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

Xhosa Student Association and GEADO host dialogue about gender-based violence

05 September 2023 | Story Nicole Bongo | Photo Supplied

GBV dialogue 2023 — The UFS Xhosa Student Association and Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office joined forces to host a dialogue to enlighten students on combating gender-based violence.

The Xhosa Student Association at the University of the Free State (UFS), along with the UFS Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) on its Bloemfontein Campus, recently hosted a dialogue titled ‘Aiding the Victim’, to educate students about what perpetuates gender-based violence, and inform them about UFS support services available to help fight GBV.

The discussion was held at the Education Auditorium on 25 August 2023, and students were challenged to pinpoint what GBV is and what it looks like. Balisa Nqambuza, Chairperson of the Xhosa Student Association and second-year BA student majoring in psychology and philosophy, said, “There is a need to have these tough conversations, as they provide insight on how to combat GBV in the future... We have had enough talks about the problem, and it is very important to start speaking about solutions that inform people of what they can do when encountering GBV.”

The event organisers said the dialogue was an opportunity for GEADO and the Xhosa Student Association to inform students about support structures within the university that provide help for students through free counselling sessions.

“The objective was to bring awareness about GBV victims amongst us, and how to assist them better, and to also highlight comprehensive approaches, as dialogues may discuss holistic approaches that address the multidimensional impact of GBV, including psychological, emotional, physical, and economic consequences,” said Pebetsi Kgole, a guest speaker and intern from GEADO.

In May 2023, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund reported a shocking rise in violence against women in South Africa, with 969 murders and 1 485 attempted murders recorded over this period. The UFS has put many structures in place to help in the fight against the scourge of GBV.

Other support services available include a sexual offense response team made up of GEADO, Protection Services, Kovsie Health, access to psychologists and social workers, and free services to help victims feel safe in a secure environment.

News Archive

2014 Intravarsity – with a twist

2014-08-12

Photo Gallery

The battle of the campuses took place over the weekend of 8–10 August 2014 as our Bloemfontein Campus hosted our Qwaqwa counterparts for the 2014 Intravarsity.

This year the event provided some exhilarating twists to the usual competition. With the theme, ‘Made at Kovsies’, the programme made room for some new and innovative activities. The new setup may even become the format for future intra- and intervarsity events at Kovsies.

For those courageous of heart and daring of body, Vishuis offered the Gladiator games. This resulted in loads of competitive fun and entertainment. On a less physical level, this year also introduced the Kovsie Gaming League. The event presented an electronic sports tournament in which students could battle it out in a digital gaming environment.

The Ultimate Frisbee tournament guaranteed a host of awkward jumps, long stretches and hearts pumping furiously. In celebration of Women’s month, a Women’s Day Fun Run was also incorporated into the weekend.

It was not a case of out with the old, in with the new, though. The usual codes like soccer, volleyball, basketball, chess and table tennis still occupied their rightful places on the programme. But this time round, cultural activities also received a place in the limelight.

A Kovsie United Music Festival provided a safe social environment for students to enjoy themselves in – and scores of feet trampled into the Rag Farm . The two campuses also engaged in a healthy clash of words during the debating event.

Most will agree, though, that the best was kept for last. The Kovsie Sêr finals on Saturday night swept each and every one up in a wave of music and cheer. The Qwaqwa sêr group, Unspoken, made their mark during the evening as they delivered an inspired guest performance.

The winners of the various events at the 2014 Intravarsity were:

Basketball – East College
Ultimate Frisbee – East College
Table Tennis – North College
Gladiators – South College (Ladies) and West College (Men)
Winners of Song – Central College
Winners of War Cry – Central College
Volleyball – South College (Men) and East College (Ladies)
Chess – West College and Qwaqwa
Soccer – South College (Men) and North College (Ladies)
Sêr – Veritas (Men) and Soetdoring (Ladies)

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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