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#AfricaMonth: Join the UFS 5km Fun Run and Walk

10 May 2024 | Story VALENTINO NDABA | Photo Supplied

Fun walk-run 2024 — Step into fitness and fun at the UFS 5km Fun Run and Walk. Join us on 11 May at 6am at the Francois Retief Building, Bloemfontein Campus.

The heartbeat of the University of the Free State (UFS) is pulsing with excitement as the Faculty of Health Sciences gears up to host an event that promises to unite the campus and the Bloemfontein community in a celebration of health, vitality, and camaraderie as we mark Africa Month. Get your running shoes laced and your spirits high because on 11 May 2024, it’s time to join the free 5km Fun Run and Walk.

Date: 11 May 2024

Time: 06:00

Venue: Francois Retief Building, Bloemfontein Campus

Why should you join?

Picture this: The crisp morning air filled with the rhythm of lively beats, the sun gently rising over the iconic Francois Retief Building, and a sea of smiling faces ready to embark on a journey of fitness and fun. The 5km fun run and walk is not just about breaking a sweat; it’s about fostering a sense of togetherness, promoting mental wellness, and embracing the joy of movement.

“Exercise should be fun. Most people believe that spending long hours exercising produces better results, whereas we want to encourage and show people that exercise should not feel like work – it should be fun,” says Jabulile Mabina, Assistant Officer at KovsieFit Gym.

Leading the charge in the fitness fiesta is KovsieFit, bringing its signature blend of energy and enthusiasm to the event. Mabina will guide participants through an invigorating aerobics session guaranteed to get those endorphins flowing and those muscles warmed up for the main event. Remember, exercise isn’t just about sculpting the body; it’s about nourishing the mind and soul too.

Community, connection, and compassion

At the heart of the fun run and walk lies a deeper purpose – to raise awareness about mental health and to foster a sense of community spirit as we celebrate Africa Month. Reuben Maeko, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at the Faculty of Health Sciences, says: “The vision of the faculty of Health Sciences is to be research led and innovative, people centred, regionally engaged, and globally competitive. We prioritise the well-being of our students and staff by organising events that promote healthy lifestyles. Our focus is on our community, placing our people at the forefront of all our endeavours. Moreover, this event will underscore the importance of physical activity for students, keeping them active and healthy.”

This sentiment resonates with the theme for the 2024 Africa Month, which is World Citizenship and African Higher Education: Preparing Students for a Connected World.

Prizes galore

What’s a celebration without some rewards? Thanks to the generous support of sponsors like Standard Bank, Steers and Debonairs, Pimento, and Rhythm Finance, participants stand the chance to win an array of exciting prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a leisurely walker soaking in the sights, there’s something for everyone to look forward to.

Mark your calendars, spread the word, and lace up those running shoes because the UFS 5km Fun Run and Walk awaits. Whether you’re a staff member, a student, or a member of the Bloemfontein community, come join us as we step, stride, and smile our way to a healthier, happier tomorrow. Remember, it’s not just a run; it’s a journey of joy, unity, and well-being. See you at the starting line.

News Archive

Research into surrogate milk important to wildlife conservation

2017-05-08

Prof Gary Osthoff from the UFS Department of
Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology,
will soon work on a milk formula for elephants.
Photo: Supplied

Research is being done at the University of the Free State (UFS) to analyse and synthetically imitate the unique milk of various wildlife species. This research is not only of scientific value, but also serves the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife species. At the forefront of this research is Prof Garry Osthoff from the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology.

Orphaned rhino calf pulled through with surrogate milk
“There is still a lot of research to be done. Naturally the research is of scientific importance, but with surrogate milk having the same composition as the mother’s milk of a specific species, orphaned calves or cubs of that species could be pulled through during a difficult time of weaning. Bearing in mind that exotic animals fetch thousands and even millions of rands at auctions, it goes without saying a game farmer will do everything possible to provide only the best nourishment to such an orphaned animal. In such a case, synthetically-manufactured milk would be the right choice,” says Prof Osthoff.

The fruits of his research were recently demonstrated in Germany when a rhino calf was left orphaned in the Leipzig Zoo. Prof Osthoff’s article: “Milk composition of a free-ranging white rhinoceros during late lactation” was used as a directive for applying surrogate milk for horse foals (which is already commercially available), since the composition of horse and rhino milk largely corresponds. The surrogate milk was used with great success and the rhino calf is flourishing. He mentions that such an orphan is often given the wrong nourishment with the best intentions, resulting in the starvation of the animal despite the amount of cow’s milk it devours.

With surrogate milk having the same
composition as the mother’s milk of a
specific species, orphaned calves or
cubs of that species could be pulled
through during the difficult time
of weaning.

Milk formula for baby elephants in the pipeline
With baby elephants left orphaned due to the increase in elephant poaching for their ivory, several attempts have been made to create a milk formula in order to feed these elephants. To date, many elephants have died in captivity from side effects such as diarrhoea as a result of the surrogate formula which they were fed.

Prof Osthoff recently received a consignment of frozen milk which he, together with researchers from Zimbabwe, will use to work on a milk formula for elephants. They are studying the milk in a full lactation period of two years. During lactation, the composition of the milk changes to such an extent that a single surrogate formula will not be sufficient. Four different formulas should probably be designed.

Prof Osthoff says that of the different species he has researched, elephants are the most interesting and deviate most from the known species.

Although his research to develop surrogate milk is adding much value to the wildlife industry, and although he finds this part of his work very exciting, his research focus is on food science and nutrition. “What is currently authentic in milk research is the study of the fat globules with content, the structure and composition of the casein micelle, and the prebiotic sugars. The knowledge which is gained helps to improve the processing, development of new food products, and development of food products for health purposes,” says Prof Osthoff.

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