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14 October 2024 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Reuben Maeko
Diabetes Open Day 2024
Dr Deepa Alexander (Senior Lecturer/Head: Clinical Unit Paediatrics and Child Health) and Dietetics student Anri Nel testing blood glucose and recording the blood glucose values of the children with type 1 diabetes.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, in collaboration with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, recently hosted a successful Diabetes Open Day designed for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The open day, which aimed to provide a supportive environment to learn, connect, and have fun, took place on Friday 27 September in the CR de Wet/Bophelong Building on the Bloemfontein Campus. The day welcomed 10 children and 10 caregivers, offering a comprehensive programme tailored to address the unique needs of young individuals living with diabetes. The participants, aged five to thirteen, engaged in a variety of activities that educated them about their condition, but also empowered them to take control of their health in a positive and proactive way.

Angelique Carson-Porter, Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and one of the organisers, stated, “Healthy eating is a cornerstone of diabetes management. Rather than viewing dietary restrictions as limitations, diabetes-friendly cooking classes encourage individuals to explore a world of new flavours and ingredients.” The department offered cooking workshops that teaches parents how to prepare delicious, low-sugar, and nutrient-rich dishes.

Education combined with fun activities

The Diabetes Open Day aimed to bring together children who face the same daily challenges in managing type 1 diabetes. Education combined with fun activities were used to teach the children to improve and control their blood sugar levels. The final-year Dietetics students provided practical advice on managing blood sugar levels, the importance of a balanced diet, and the role of physical activity in diabetes care.

While education and support were central to the day’s agenda, the organisers ensured that fun was a key component of the experience. The day included various engaging activities, all designed to promote physical well-being and emotional expression. These activities aimed to help children see that managing diabetes does not mean missing out on the joys of childhood.

Additionally, the open day offered a safe space for children to express their emotions and share their experiences with peers who understand their journey. This sense of community is crucial for building resilience and fostering a supportive network that extends beyond the event.

This event provided the final-year Dietetics students at the UFS with teaching and learning opportunities, as they were caring for and educating these children, as well as preparing the correct food for them. The students were also responsible for planning the open day, developing educational material to take home, and creating games to teach them the importance of physical activity in the management of type 1 diabetes.

Managing diabetes

According to Katleho Stemmer, a student who participated in the open day, managing diabetes can be a challenging experience, but it does not mean it has to be boring or burdensome. Health experts and diabetes patients alike, she continues, are finding innovative ways to transform their routines and make diabetes management a more engaging and enjoyable process. From interactive cooking classes to fitness challenges and support groups, there are countless ways to turn diabetes management into a fun and motivating journey.

“The key to successfully managing diabetes lies in consistency and a positive mindset. By incorporating fun activities, engaging communities, and a creative approach, individuals can transform their diabetes management routines into an enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle.

“Diabetes doesn’t have to define one's life – it can be an opportunity to explore new hobbies, make new friends, and adopt a healthier, more balanced way of living. With the right support and a little bit of fun, managing diabetes can become less of a challenge and more of an empowering adventure. These gatherings help foster a sense of community and mutual support,” she says.

News Archive

OSM Camerata first place winner in international competition
2017-09-08

Description: Camerata Tags: OSM Camerata, Ictus International Music Competition, Marius Coetzee, Odeion School of Music 

The OSM Camerata with conductors, Xavier Cloete and
Gerhard de Jager received first place in the
University/Conservatory Orchestra category.
Photo: Supplied



The OSM Camerata received first place in the 2017 Ictus International Music Competition for bands and orchestras. Marius Coetzee from the Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State said: “The award was announced in time for the celebration of the orchestra’s fifth birthday.”

OSM a catalyst for excellence
The OSMC was strategically founded in 2012 by Coetzee as the OSM’s flagship chamber ensemble, with the main objective of creating a catalyst for excellence.

Over the past five years, the OSMC has premiered 15 new works by South African composers specially commissioned for them. Highlights remain its participation in the 13th International Conservatory Festival in St Petersburg Russia, where the ensemble received a standing ovation during a gala concert in the Glazunov Concert Hall, as well as the world première of the Cello Concerto for an African Cellist by South African composer, Hans Huyssen, with South African cellist, Heleen du Plessis as soloist. The CD was released in 2014 on the New Zealand Classical Music label, Ode Records in Auckland, New Zealand and was one of five CDs nominated for the Listeners' Choice Award New York in March 2014.

Competition draws participation from Washington to Bloemfontein

The inaugural year of this annual competition drew applicants from Washington State in the US all the way to Bloemfontein in the Free State. Video submissions were judged and narrowed down to a final round from which prize winners were selected.

The OSM Camerata with conductors, Xavier Cloete and Gerhard De Jager, received first place in the University/Conservatory Orchestra category. 

The competition was founded to highlight the work that music educators, conductors, students, performers and community members make in ensembles at the university, community, youth, high school and middle school levels. 

Competition director, Alex Serio says that “many people do not realise the amount of work that it takes to make these ensembles run. What is more is that most of the public does not realise the level of artistic excellence that can be achieved in these ensembles. Ictus International Music Competition was founded to highlight this level

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