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12 January 2024 | Story Nonsindiswe Qwabe | Photo Sonia Small
Dr Grey Magaiza read more
Since joining the UFS in 2008, Dr Grey Magaiza has worked extensively on approaches that can foster the socio-economic transformation of societies.

“The future should be one where communities can decide on their development agenda and futures. That’s the most important for me.” Dr Grey Magaiza, Deputy Director of the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies (CGAS) and Head of the Community Development programme on the Qwaqwa Campus, is passionate about capacitating communities to be agents of change and advancement. His vision for the future emphasises the empowerment of communities to take charge of their development by actively participating in decision making and the implementation of development projects that can improve their lives.

Since joining the UFS in 2008, Dr Magaiza has worked extensively on approaches that can foster the socio-economic transformation of societies. Over the years, he has crafted his research speciality into one that he is most proud of – being an interdisciplinary scientist immersed in the development of communities.

Social entrepreneurship

“I’m in a fortunate position of researching what I like. I say ‘fortunate’, because I’ve taken the time to understand what I’m passionate about, which is the overall field of rural livelihoods and livelihood futures – in short, community development. My research starts from an engaged university, understanding the elements that a university must use to enhance transformation and relevance to its immediate community in terms of development.”

One of the ways he has done this is by looking at social entrepreneurship as a development approach for young people in a rural setting. Through workshops with non-profit and civic organisations in Qwaqwa, Dr Magaiza has been helping these organisations to map out their needs and actively meet them through the involvement and support of external role players.

Community organising

“We understand that communities are part of the national development agenda, but even that national agenda respects community knowledge and intentions and allows communities to shape their identity. A critical enabler of this is community organising. You bring back the capacity in communities to have dialogues on issues affecting them as spaces for engagement, knowledge exchange, and for people to just talk about their way forward.”

By enabling communities to define their development agenda, they can address their specific needs, challenges, and aspirations, he said. “When I look at livelihood futures, it’s quite an exciting aspect of my work – it’s like looking into a fortune tellers’ globe, because you’re not deciding for communities what they should do, but the communities themselves take those decisions.”

News Archive

Mandela Day Vryfees concert aims to impress
2014-07-15

This year we celebrate Mandela Day with musical flair at the Vryfees. Well-known artists will give freely of their time and talent as part of their 67 minutes to help raise funds for the University of the Free State’s (UFS) No Student Hungry programme (NSH).

The UFS NSH Mandela Day Tribute Concert boasts artists such as Mathys Roets, Navi Redd, Corneil Muller, 3 x A Lady, Jacobus Silver and the 2014 Stage Door winners, the Akasia Ser Group. Performances ranging from the warm acoustic guitar and vocals of Mathys Roets, to the energetic a cappella medley of Navi Redd, promise to captivate and entertain the audience.

Angelo Mockie and Tonderai Chiyindiko, renowned for their excellent directing in numerous productions, are proud supporters of the NSH programme and hereby invite you to celebrate one of our country's most inspiring icons while helping us help our students. All of the concert proceeds will be donated to the NSH programme.

The NSH programme was initiated in 2011 by Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, and Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs. The bursary is awarded on the basis of financial need, good academic performance, active participation in student life programmes and a commitment to serving the community. 
 
Buy your tickets at Computicket or at the Vryfees ticket office on the Bloemfontein Campus.

UFS NSH Mandela Day Tribute Concert
Date: 19 July 2014
Venue: Odeion, Bloemfontein Campus
Time: 15:00
Cost: R110

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