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UFS Language Policy is now available in four languages

13 June 2024 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Supplied

Dr Nomalungelo Ngubane, the Director of the Academy for Multilingualism, is at the forefront of this initiative, championing diversity and inclusiveness for all stakeholders at the University of the Free State.

Diversity in higher education institutions enriches the learning environment, fostering a culture of inclusion and mutual respect. It broadens perspectives, encourages critical thinking, and prepares students for a global workforce by supporting equitable access to opportunities and enhancing all students' personal growth and academic excellence.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has marked a significant milestone in its commitment to linguistic diversity with the official translation of its Language Policy into three additional languages: Sesotho, Afrikaans, and isiZulu. Previously only available in English, the translation of the policy – approved by the University Council in November 2023 – into these languages reflects the university's dedication to inclusivity and recognition of its diverse community.

The collaboration between the Academy for Multilingualism and the Institutional Regulatory Code was instrumental in a groundbreaking initiative: making the Language Policy accessible to speakers of African languages. Spearheaded by the Academy for Multilingualism, this endeavour involved a thorough translation, formatting, and proofreading process.

Dr Nomalungelo Ngubane, Director of the Academy for Multilingualism, emphasised that the availability of the Language Policy in multiple languages is not merely symbolic, but underscores the UFS' values of respect, human dignity, and social justice, as outlined in its Vision130. “This initiative aligns with the university's overarching goal of fostering an environment where all languages are valued and respected. We also hope that the Language Policy will not just be written in different languages but will strengthen the implementation of the policy in various domains of the university to achieve its objectives.

She further explains that the translation project is expected to have far-reaching impacts on how policies are communicated and understood within the university, because it enhances the ability of students, staff, and stakeholders to participate more fully in university life, contributing to a more cohesive and integrated community.

This initiative is a testament to the UFS' commitment to embracing and celebrating linguistic diversity as a fundamental aspect of its identity and operations.

News Archive

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to deliver prestige lecture at the UFS

2013-10-08

Minister Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, will deliver a lecture in the Prestige Series of the Dean in the Faculty of Law at the UFS on Access to Justice.

Thursday 17 October 2013
18:00
CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

Please RSVP before or on Monday 14 October 2013 to Aldi Lombard, +27(0)51 401 2319 or lombarda1@ufs.ac.za.

We kindly refer you to the short CV of Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe.

Radebe holds a BIuris degree from the University of Zululand obtained in 1976; LLM in International Law from Leipzig University obtained in 1981. He also studied at the Lenin International School, Moscow, in 1985.

Radebe became a student activist and joined the underground structures of the African National Congress (ANC) during the student uprisings in 1976. He was active in the organisation and was arrested and convicted under the Terrorism Act. He served his jail sentence on Robben Island. After his release in 1990, he held several leadership positions within the ANC and the South African Communist Party.

Following the democratic elections in 1994, Radebe held ministerial positions in the Departments of Public Works, Public Enterprises and Transport. In 2009 Radebe was appointed as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, a position that he currently still holds. Among his many achievements, Radebe received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the Chicago State University in 1996.

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