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17 January 2025 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied
Intsika Food Garden
The newly redeveloped Intsika Garden on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, designed to promote accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement. The garden's flexible spaces offer opportunities for students to relax, collaborate, and connect with one another.
The UFS Qwaqwa Campus is transforming its landscape to provide more than just a physical connection between buildings. The redevelopment of the garden in front of the Intsika Building marks a shift towards integrating communal spaces that support interaction, inclusivity, and sustainability. 

According to Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director: Facilities Planning at University Estates, the primary aim of the redevelopment is to celebrate the diversity of the university as its ‘greatest asset’ by creating spaces that promote community engagement. “Previously, the garden was underutilised and did not connect properly to the rest of the campus’ circulation network. We identified an opportunity to develop it into a social space where academia and visitors can connect,” Van Rensburg explained.  

Accessibility and sustainability  

The Intsika Garden redevelopment aligns with the broader strategic goals of the institution, particularly in infrastructure planning. The project focuses on making the space universally accessible, ensuring that it caters for people with disabilities while improving overall circulation on the campus. “The development strives to improve the accessibility to different functions on the campus by making the space and circulation routes universally accessible,” said Van Rensburg.  

This initiative is also embedded in the university’s commitment to sustainability, as waterwise plants, artificial grass, and low maintenance finishes have been carefully selected to reduce the environmental footprint. “Artificial grass was used in combination with natural vegetation, which requires minimal water and maintenance,” he added.  

In addition to accessibility, sustainability plays a central role in the redevelopment. The project is designed to contribute to the university’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint by promoting pedestrian-friendly spaces and minimising the reliance on fossil-fuel-driven vehicles.  

Van Rensburg highlighted the efficiency gains in the management of green spaces, noting that the design will reduce the frequency of maintenance, which in turn reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption. “By promoting pedestrian circulation and integration with public transport, the use of vehicles using fossil fuels is minimised,” he said. Walking, he added, is not only a more environmentally friendly option, but also promotes the health and well-being of the campus community.  

Social spaces for collaboration  

The redevelopment introduces six new social nodes across the campus, each offering unique opportunities for student engagement and collaboration. “Smaller pockets have been created, which form part of the larger public space, resulting in a microclimate where people can relax and socialise,” Van Rensburg explained.  

The spaces are designed with flexibility in mind, featuring various seating arrangements, including spaces for meetings and group collaborations. Among the new additions is an amphitheatre, which provides a multifunctional space for lectures, performances, and other activities. “Flexible communal spaces were created for recreational opportunities, resulting in a balanced campus lifestyle,” Van Rensburg added.  

Recognising the increasing reliance on technology, the redevelopment also incorporates features such as charging stations and Wi-Fi connectivity. The spaces are envisioned as ‘information zones’, providing students and staff with convenient access to online resources while they relax or connect outdoors. “With Wi-Fi connectivity, the spaces function as an extension to traditional libraries,” noted Van Rensburg.   

While the Intsika Garden redevelopment is a significant step forward, plans are already underway for further infrastructure and green initiatives. “The soft landscaping and signage contracts were awarded for the Intsika Garden,” Van Rensburg confirmed. He also revealed that much-needed renovations to the front of the Intsika Building are in the pipeline, with a contractor soon to be appointed for the construction work. The planned upgrade will align with the garden’s aesthetics by drawing inspiration from indigenous art and culture, creating a cohesive identity for the campus. 

As these developments progress into 2025, the Qwaqwa Campus will continue to evolve, offering students and staff spaces that not only enhance their academic experience, but also contribute to a more sustainable and connected environment. 

News Archive

During 2011: Sport
2011-12-01

Our sports stars set their gaols high and with hard work, dedication a good measure of determination they show that they will not give up until these goals are met. A place in the national team or a medal or award in hand is enough proof that our Kovsie sportsmen and women are serious about their successes on the sports field.

 Description: 2011 Sport_Cricket Tags: 2011 Sport_Cricket  Description: 2011 Sport_Karate Tags: 2011 Sport_Karate  Description: 2011 Sport_Hockey Tags: 2011 Sport_Hockey  Description: 2011 Sport_Netball Tags: 2011 Sport_Netball  Description: 2011 Sport_Rugby Tags: 2011 Sport_Rugby

Some of our stars this year were:

Athletics:

Thuso Mpuang, our Kovsie Sportsman of the year, represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Janette Siebert represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.

Boy Soke represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.

Cricket:

The 21-year-old former Kovsie, Obus Pienaar, who was still playing cricket for our university club until the end of the season (end of March), has been playing abroad for the Irish cricket club Waringstown from the end of April 2011.
We are proud of Obus’ achievements, in particular his contribution to the match against the CIYMS. During this game, Obus hit the highest score ever in the Northern Cricket Unions when he scored 244 runs in only 114 balls. This included 22 sixes and 13 fours. During his innings in this match, Obus also broke the July 2004 record of his compatriot, AB de Villiers of the Proteas.

Hockey:

Lesley Ann George represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.

Nicole de Vries represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Hettie Oosthuizen represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Izelle Lategan represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Nicole Kemp was a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Karate:

Elsabe le Roux was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Bruno Schwalbach was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.

Balungile Nchofe was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo, where he obtained a gold medal.

Netball:

Kovsies’ netball team has performed well over the past year with, amongst others, the inclusion of players in the SA Universities World-cup Group.

Karla Mostert and Maryka Holtzhausen participated during the World Cup in Singapore in the SPAR SA Protea team.

We are also proud of the eight players who have been included in the SA team. They are Zimari Smit, Sheri Duimpies, Ane Botha, Danique du Toit, Nieke Loubser, Karla Mostert, Fikile Mkhuzangwe and Lauren-lee Christians.

At the SA tournament, Ane Botha was named as the centre-court player of the tournament, whilst Karla Mostert was named as the best defending player. Karla has also been included in the SPAR SA Protea team to the All African Games, which start in Mozambique at the end of August.

Rugby:

Boom Prinsloo and Robert Ebershohn are representing the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Soccer:

Gabisile Hlumbane, our Kovsie Sportswomanof the year, is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Squash:

Paul Rodrigues represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.

Triathlon:

Nelmaré Loubser represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.

 

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