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29 August 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Harmse Photography
Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.
The Business School at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Ross van Reenen, for a guest lecture. Van Reenen presented the guest lecture in the Business School Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 21 August 2024.
Reflecting on Van Reenen’s address
In a lecture addressed to an auditorium filled with UFS staff and students, Van Reenen’s talk was divided into several sections. Firstly, he spoke about the concept of the ‘black swan’ in reference to the book written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, titled The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. Referring to Taleb’s book, Van Reenen defined a ‘black swan’ as a rare event that has a severe impact, and the occurrence of which people try to explain. He used some examples to explore this concept as well as its implications, including COVID-19 and its impact on the world, and the tragic death of the people in the Titanic disaster. However, he delved deeper into 9/11 and the extent of its impact, saying that “9/11 was a major wake-up call in the world economy”. Van Reenen highlighted how some companies such as Barclays, for which he previously consulted, had to work to be up and running after the collapse of the Twin Towers in 9/11.
In addition, Van Reenen’s lecture also touched on the importance of the first ninety days of a job after an individual has been employed. “Those first ninety days are crucial, as you have to establish yourself in a company where you are paid less than you are worth,” Van Reenen said. As such, he gave the audience insight into what they could focus on in that time frame. This includes focusing on the small wins, as well as ensuring that you are working at keeping the team together, as the team is an integral part of an organisation.
Van Reenen concluded his address by speaking about his time as the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, including some of the decisions he took to ensure the success of the organisation.
Kovsie Culture Week delves up diamonds
2014-08-07
The finals of Kovsie Culture Week recently took place at the Centenary Complex on our Bloemfontein Campus. The event was hosted by the Arts and Culture Office and Hlonipa Matshamba: SRC Arts and Culture.
A week filled with fierce competition, close scrutiny and gruelling auditions provided a nerve-racking build-up to the finals. In front of a jam-packed audience, the finalists had to put their best foot forward. The rich variety of acts and talents were divided into categories ranging from dancing, singing groups and Idols to written and recited poetry, photography and visual art.
“The aim of Kovsie Culture Week was to provide a platform for students to display and share their talents and also to give recognition to students, from both on and off campus by means of this competition,” said Matshamba.
The first prize winners, per category, were:
- Photography: Jansie Malan
- Written poetry: Wian de Wet
- Recited poetry: Tebogo Letsoara
- Dance: Aisha Paswa
- Singing groups: (LT)2 *squared
- Idols: Delia Moumakwe
- Visual art: Francine Kurt
“I joined the competition to share the effect of my special photo that shows the socio-economic indifferences and hardships that other people are facing,” Jansie Malan, a first-year BSc Consumer Science student, said. Delia Moumakwe, a second-year BA Industrial Psychology student, said that “I am grateful for my prize as a token of recognition and being afforded a recording deal sponsored by DJ’s Recording Studio.”
Matshamba added that the Kovsie community is thriving in the arts and we need to support that by providing similar opportunities. She also encouraged students to realise the treasure of their inner talents by making use of the Arts and Culture offices in various departments.