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UFS Community Engagement Indaba highlights sustainability solutions

24 July 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

2024 Community Engagement Indaba — Attendees engage with community partners at information stalls showcasing innovative sustainability practices.

The Directorate Community Engagement at the University of the Free State (UFS) held its second Community Engagement Indaba on the institution’s Bloemfontein Campus this year.

The indaba, which was attended by a group of 130 academics, students, learners, NGOs, community partners, and community members, was titled Building Self-reliance, Self-sufficiency, Self-sustainable Livelihoods for Entrepreneurship, exploring new ways of addressing poverty, unemployment, lack of resources, and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele, who is heading the Directorate Community Engagement, said that in challenging times where rising unemployment and poverty cast shadows over communities, he believes the theme of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-sustainable living is applicable and timely; these are cornerstones of empowerment. According to him, the indaba is not just about theory, it is about action. “Together, we’ll explore practical steps, redefine our understanding of ‘JOB’ versus ‘WORK’, and unlock pathways towards entrepreneurship,” he commented.

Day one of the two-day event featured presentations on various topics. One of the speakers, Nontombi Velelo – a PhD candidate and Programme Director for the Bachelor of Social Science in the Faculty of The Humanities, addressed self-sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods. Dr Grey Magaiza, Lecturer and Head of the Community Development Programme on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, discussed the significance of community development for societal impact. The theme of personal development and transformation was explored by Dr Rosaline Sebolao, Teaching and Learning Manager in the Faculty of The Humanities. Prof Jan Swanepoel – Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development – presented insights on subsistence farming with livestock.

Another notable addition was a presentation by Danie Jacobs, the founder and executive director of Young Entrepreneurs Virtual Academy, who introduced the Intentional Entrepreneurial and Skills Development Ecosystem Model. He focused on an ecosystem model designed to introduce entrepreneurship to children in schools, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age up to school leavers (kids, teens and young adults). These sessions provided invaluable learning opportunities, offering attendees practical insights and knowledge that can be applied to enhance personal growth.

Personal development and health

The Central University of Technology (CUT) contributed several engaging stalls to this year's indaba. Attendees explored the potential of 3D printing, delved into innovation – with insights from Rosita Rhode, Career Development Coordinator – and gained valuable tips on CV writing skills.

Another notable presenter was Ntsiuoa Kobo, a natural herbalist from Ditlakala Organics in Tweespruit, who shared her extensive indigenous knowledge about herbs. Her display was supported by research related to indigenous knowledge, highlighting various traditional practices and their contemporary applications. In line with this presentation was the information shared by Dr Ida Manduna, an ethnobotanist at CUT, who talked about indigenous herb farming that fosters nutrition and health. Also interesting was the presentation of Wilfred Dahli from Tala Growers, who informed the attendees about cannabis cultivation and products. The Agape Foundation from Qwaqwa introduced attendees to rose hip berry juice and also shared indigenous knowledge about herbs known for their medicinal properties, including anti-fungal and anti-bacterial benefits, as well as being a rich source of vitamin C.

The event featured several workshops, which attracted a lot of attention. Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) conducted a workshop on worm farming, led by students who shared their expertise. The eco-bricks workshop, led by Lenosa Mahapang, an artist and environmentalist, and Dr Anita Venter, a researcher and climate activist in the Centre for Development Support, captivated attendees. The session included a pre-motivational talk on the dangers of plastic pollution and highlighted the role of eco-bricks in environmental sustainability.

A particularly innovative workshop demonstrated how to create raised garden beds from recycled pallets – highlighting the opportunity to start a micro-enterprise. The workshop, presented by Katlego Mpoihi from Golukisa General Trading, is part of an initiative with the Carel du Toit School to teach learners and community partners how to build these beds. The community has a larger vision – developing maize-formed gardens, which would serve as a stimulating environment for children and contribute to food availability.

Thabo Olivier energetically also led a workshop on food security, sharing innovative ideas and practices. Notably, an attendee from last year’s event successfully applied Olivier's potato cultivation idea. In response, Olivier provided him with a bag of potatoes that has the potential to yield a harvest of 500 kg. This practical application highlighted the impactful and lasting benefits of the knowledge shared at these workshops.

Attendees were also captivated by a presentation on the production of biogas as a renewable energy source, delivered by Dr Christy Stephen, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology at CUT.

Gift of the Givers introduced the Mina Cup – a menstrual cup designed to last five years – offering a more economical and sustainable alternative to traditional sanitary products. In an effort to empower young women and end ‘period poverty’, Community Liaison Officer Kefiloe Chuene dispelled myths and spoke frankly about menstruation. According to Dr Karen Venter, Head of Service Learning in the Directorate Community Engagement, this project – part of the health and well-being initiative by ACCESS, which is driving a menstrual health campaign – would also be incorporated into the service-learning module of second-year Nursing students in the Bachelor of Nursing Programme in the School of Nursing.

"These information stalls brought unique insights and knowledge to the event," said Dr Venter.

Education and entrepreneurship

Other engaging stalls included a booth for making cast-iron fireplaces, and another offered CV writing skills. These stalls provided practical skills and knowledge applicable to various professional and personal development areas.

According to Dr Venter, the impact of the indaba stood out to her. “The workshops had a profound impact on attendees, reinforcing the UFS’ values of sustainability in various ways.”

The indaba also aligned with the UFS' Vision 130, which emphasises care for the community. By providing valuable opportunities for attendees to engage with community partners, learn about innovative practices, and explore the intersections of traditional knowledge and modern applications, the event fostered a sense of community and shared purpose. It demonstrated the university’s commitment to creating a sustainable and caring environment, both within the university and in the broader community.

News Archive

Letter to students from Prof Jonathan Jansen about student protest action at the UFS

2015-10-21

Dear Students

Student protest action at the University of the Free State

I wish to make clear that the senior leadership of the University of the Free State understands and supports the demands from students and their leaders that higher education be accessible to all students, especially the poor. For the past six years we have done everything in our power to meet that commitment to students who are academically talented, but simply cannot afford to pay; that is why our tuition fees remain among the lowest in the country. Our efforts to raise private funding have enabled thousands more students to study at the UFS than would have been possible on the government subsidy only. Whether it is the Staff Fund contributions (yes, our staff empty their pockets to support student fees) or the No Student Hungry (NSH) bursary programme (yes, we raise funds for food bursaries), we will continue our drive to fund students who cannot afford higher education. Let me repeat, no student with a solid academic record will be denied access to studies simply because they cannot pay.

Now, to the matter at hand. There is a national demand from students for a 0% fee increment for 2016. The Minister’s response, after consultation with stakeholders, was that universities should cap their 2016 fee increases at 6%. Despite this initiative from government, the protests continue on virtually all campuses across South Africa for the ‘no fee’ increase.

Our response, as the UFS leadership, is to continue engaging the SRC as the chosen leadership of our students in trying to negotiate a settlement on the matter. We have worked around the clock to be available to student leaders to find some resolution on 2016 fees. While we understand the demands of students, as university leaders, we can only work with the government subsidy we receive. Any agreement reached, cannot and must not place the university at academic and financial risk in its ability to deliver public higher education to the country - if that happens, everybody loses. Still, no matter what happens in terms of the response from government, the leadership door at the UFS remains open to finding a mutually acceptable solution to all parties in these deliberations.

Students, we are deeply concerned by the violence, intimidation and threats from the small group of protesting students. These dangerous and demeaning behaviours, like disrupting classes and verbally abusing students and staff, undermine the legitimate quest of students for relief concerning tuition fees. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and the university will take action where required. We must also remember that we have an obligation to all 30 000 students whose right to learn without fear of violence and intimidation must be respected.

In conclusion, over the past few years we have worked hard to build a culture of mutual respect and embrace as we worked through some very difficult challenges on campus. You would have noticed that the university leadership responded quickly and sympathetically to reason and respect in difficult situations of rage and demonstration. A minority of students, with some outsiders, have come onto the campus to break down that culture in which, while we might disagree, we continue to work on the basis of mutual respect. I urge all students that, as we engage of this important problem of enabling greater access to higher education, we continue to remain true to the core values of our Human Project.

Best Regards

Prof Jonathan Jansen
Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State

Letter to students from Prof Jonathan Jansen about student protest actions at the UFS (Pdf format)

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