Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
04 April 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied
Robson Nkosi
Robson Nkosi in his academic regalia at the graduation for his honours degree.

Robson Siphosihle Nkosi's journey is a compelling narrative of resilience, determination, and academic achievement – a story that resonates deeply within the University of the Free State (UFS) community. Born in Mpumalanga and raised under challenging circumstances, Nkosi's path to academic success is a testament to his unwavering spirit.

 

Unwavering determination

His early life was marked by significant loss, having been raised initially by his grandmother, and subsequently by his mother, who tragically passed away just before his final year of high school at Bee Maseko Secondary School, a quintile 1 school in Sheepmoor, Mpumalanga. Facing financial hardship, he relied on the support of friends to complete his matriculation.

Despite these adversities, Nkosi's determination shone through. With the invaluable assistance of his high school teacher, Mokoena Libakiso – whom he now considers his mother – he applied to the UFS to pursue a teaching degree. Although initially accepted, funding delays resulted in his offer being withdrawn. Securing funding later, he enrolled in a BSocSci degree, majoring in Communication Science and Sociology, demonstrating his adaptability and commitment to higher education.

Nkosi’s initial aspiration to switch to a Bachelor of Education degree was redirected by the NSFAS N+1 rule. However, he refocused his goals, setting his sights on a PhD and a career in higher education lecturing. This strategic vision fuelled his academic pursuits.


Leadership. Excellence. PhD.

His leadership skills were honed during his final undergraduate year, serving as the Qwaqwa Campus SRC Deputy President and ISRC Treasurer General. His academic excellence was consistently recognised through academic merit bursaries and the UFS Partial Tuition Fee Bursary, which supported his honours studies. Living in Botshabelo and commuting to Bloemfontein, Nkosi demonstrated his dedication.

During his honours year, he not only excelled as a student, but also as a tutor and Career Ambassador. His academic prowess led to an invitation from his honours lecturer, Yzelle Du Plessis, to facilitate Communication Science classes. He completed his honours degree cum laude, specialising in Leadership Communication.

Nkosi's academic journey continued with a master’s in communication science, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Simultaneously, he gained practical teaching experience as a junior lecturer. He recently completed his master's degree and is now pursuing a PhD in Communication Science, while continuing to teach final-year and honours students on the Bloemfontein Campus.


A life dedicated to education and leadership

His short-term goal is to secure a permanent lecturing position, while his long-term ambition is to become a professor of Communication Science and potentially assume a leadership role in higher education, the public sector, or civil society.

Robson Nkosi's story is a powerful example of resilience, academic excellence, and the transformative impact of education. His dedication and gratitude to those who supported him underscore the importance of community and mentorship. He stands as an inspiration to the UFS community, demonstrating that with determination and perseverance, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.

News Archive

Annual Stagedoor music competition on 12 March 2016
2016-03-11

Description: 2016 KL Stagedoor Tags: Stagedoor

In action: Soetdoring and Kagiso residences, the winners of Stagedoor 2015.
Photo: Supplied

First-year students from all 26 residences on the Bloemfontein Campus are warming up their vocal chords for the annual Stagedoor competition. Double the fun and double the drama are in store this time around as residences will serenade the audiences in pairs.

An exciting twist has been added to this year’s competition: all performances will feature Justin Bieber’s hit song What do you mean.

Last year Soetdoring and Kagiso residences took the trophy home. Who will it be this year? Find out by getting your ticket before they are all grabbed up.
 
Details
Time: 17:00
Place: Kovsie Church (access via Agriculture gate/Gate 5)
Tickets: R30 for students | R60 for the public

To get your tickets or for more information, please visit Office 8, 9 or 49 at the Student Affairs Building, Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus. Alternatively, email Delia Moumakwe at moumakwemd@ufs.ac.za  or Tonderai Chiyindiko at chiyindikot@ufs.ac.za .

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept