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Men’s conference 2024: Combating loneliness with connection

01 October 2024 | Story Zinzi Zumana | Photo Supplied

Male Lekgotla 2024 — The UFS Annual MaskUnity Men’s Conference 2024.

The University of the Free State (UFS) and its partners recently hosted the second Annual MaskUnity Men's Conference in the Callie Human Centre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, following the success of the 2023 event. The conference encouraged men to be open about their internal struggles; the primary aim was to address the complicated challenges men face today, including gender-based violence, low uptake of health-care services, substance abuse, HIV/Aids, and mental health issues. The two-day event targeted men from the UFS, Central University of Technology (CUT), Sol Plaatje University (SPU), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), and TVET colleges – Flavius Mareka, Maluti, and Motheo. The goal was to raise awareness and promote positive development through dialogue, education, and behaviour modification.

One of the conference’s key sessions focused on understanding and managing anger – a common yet often misunderstood issue among men. Tobias van den Berg, a counselling psychologist, provided in-depth insights into the psychological and social factors that contributed to anger and offered practical strategies for emotional regulation and constructive expression. This session resonated deeply with many attendees, highlighting the importance of addressing anger in a healthy and proactive manner.

Another crucial topic discussed was loneliness, which is often overlooked in discussions about men’s mental health. Aubrey Moloto, a registered counsellor from SCD Qwaqwa, emphasised the significance of building meaningful relationships and support networks to combat isolation. He underscored the need for men to seek out and cultivate connections that foster a sense of community and belonging.

The conference also featured personal testimonials from attendees, illustrating the profound impact of the discussions. Andile Xhakaza, a student from the UFS, shared how the conference reshaped his understanding of manhood. He expressed a commitment to applying the lessons learned – particularly those related to gender-based violence, responsible manhood, and anger management – in his daily life. Xhakaza’s story reflected the broader impact that the conference aimed to achieve, namely, to foster respect, healthy relationships, and mental well-being among men.

Addressing substance abuse and promoting healthy living

Substance abuse – a critical issue affecting young men – was addressed by Ogaisitse Diseko, who highlighted the negative effects of drug use on both personal health and societal well-being. Diseko’s presentation provided attendees with essential information about the dangers of addiction and offered resources for those seeking help. This session reinforced the importance of making informed, healthier lifestyle choices.

The Honourable Monyatso Mahlatsi, MEC of Health in the Free State, also spoke at the event, advising men to prioritise their health by visiting clinics regularly. He emphasised the importance of overcoming the stigma often associated with seeking health care, urging men to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other health issues.

Promoting safe and respectful relationships

Siyanda Magayana – Senior Officer in the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office – led a crucial discussion on practising safe sex. Magayana stressed the importance of consent, protection, and mutual respect in sexual relationships as foundational elements of both physical health and emotional well-being. This dialogue aimed to empower men to engage in healthier, more respectful relationships.

A call for continued dialogue and wellness programmes

The conference also served as a platform for participants to voice their thoughts on improving future events. Akhumzi Khambula from WSU’s Mthatha Campus suggested the inclusion of more interactive sessions where men could engage in open dialogues. He also advocated for the implementation of more active wellness programmes within universities, encouraging male students to participate as a means of combating loneliness and fostering a supportive environment.

Mental health and stress management

Recognising the critical importance of mental health, the conference dedicated several sessions to stress management and mental well-being. Students were equipped with practical coping strategies to handle stress effectively, emphasising the need to prioritise mental health in the fast-paced environment of higher education. The event concluded with a powerful call to action, urging all attendees to continue striving for self-improvement and active community engagement.

The UFS Annual MaskUnity Men’s Conference 2024 was more than just an event – it was a movement towards redefining manhood in a way that embraces vulnerability, encourages open dialogue, and promotes holistic well-being. As attendee Tshepo Keokoane from CUT properly put it, “It’s okay for a man to cry – it does not symbolise weakness.” This statement captures the conference’s key message: true strength lies in the ability to express emotions, seek help, and support one another in the journey towards becoming better men.

The conference ended on a note of optimism, with participants leaving empowered to make positive changes in their lives and communities. The UFS, alongside its partners, succeeded in creating a space where men could come together, learn, and grow – laying the groundwork for a more empathetic and responsible generation of men.

News Archive

Important message to UFS students on NSFAS and financial aid in general

2013-02-01

31 January 2013

Dear Students

There remains some uncertainty as well as misinformation within the student body concerning NSFAS and financial aid in general. This communication is intended to provide the facts on the state of student funding at the University of the Free State (UFS). I hope you find this information helpful and that it would guide you in your decisions as you wait to hear from, or hopefully receive funding from NSFAS or any other source.

Every year the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) determines how much funding is available to fund students at all universities in South Africa; this is determined in part by the student numbers. Universities do not ask for, or determine the DHET allocation and are instructed by government that “NSFAS will ensure that the universities comply with the processes, procedures…for the allocated funds.”
On 14 December 2012 the UFS received notice from the DHET that our total allocation would be R108,331,215.66 and that this amount must be apportioned in the following categories:
General NSFAS Funding R85,174,275.07
Teacher Training R2,291,940.59
Disability Funding R1,265,000.00
Final-Year Programme R19,600,000.00
The UFS received 5 952 applications for NSFAS funding and with the available funding we can only finance up to 3 000 students on the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, provided that those students satisfy the stringent criteria, e.g. the so-called “national means test” determined for all universities in the country. If we funded more students that the available monies allow, the university would be held accountable by the NSFAS Board and the DHET and this would threaten future funding.
Students apply in the previous year and therefore late applications are less likely to receive funding.
Academic merit also counts, therefore students who fail one or more modules are less likely to receive new or ongoing support from NSFAS. The combination of academic standing and financial need are among the important criteria in decision-making on NSFAS funds.
The UFS is one of the few universities with a very efficient record in using every cent made available to support poor students; we are proud of this record. No money is sent back to NSFAS, except small amounts not claimed by students in the disability category. The university is not allowed to shift funds between categories as described in point #2 above.
Allocations are not based on campus, but need.
The UFS sets aside an additional R35,7 million (in 2013) from within its own budget as bursaries so that we can accommodate as many students as possible. We spend every cent of this funding on students.
The UFS also raises millions in bursaries from the private sector to support poor and promising students, though these funds are often linked to the industry granting the money, e.g. Investec for Accounting students and SASOL for Chemistry students. This recruitment of bursaries is a 24/7 commitment of the Marketing Office and the Faculties and Heads of Departments are also active in raising funds from government agencies, parastatals and the private sector for students in their units.
After almost all our 2013 funds were allocated in favour of students, we calculated a shortfall in the NSFAS allocation of approximately R51 million. We are in the process of making an urgent submission to NSFAS to consider this additional allocation, but we cannot guarantee that this plea can or will be met.

Finally, I want all our students to know that the University of the Free State works very hard to raise every cent we can to provide poor students with funding for their studies. Many of my colleagues, including support staff, who do not earn very much, use some of their meagre personal resources to help a student with money for registration or clothing or food. In fact, the No Student Hungry Campaign that raises more than R600,000 by UFS volunteers annually, is another mechanism for trying to assist students who might have money for studies, but not much else.

We do this because we care, and because this is what The Human Project at Kovsies is all about.

I therefore ask for your patience as we continue our labour of raising the funds that enable every deserving student to continue their studies at the University of the Free State.

Should you have any further questions about NSFAS, please leave an email inquiry on choanet@ufs.ac.za or mallettca@ufs.ac.za and we will endeavour to provide you with the information you require.

Sincerely Yours

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

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