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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

Top achievers arrive at UFS
2017-01-26

Description: Tshepo Thajane Tags: Tshepo Thajane

Tshepo Thajane, winner of the Kovsies
Star of Stars competition.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

Although first-year registration officially started on 23 January 2017 at the University of the Free State (UFS), the Marketing department invited some of the top-achieving matrics in the country to an event on Friday 20 January to assist them with early registration. These high-flying pupils have AP scores of 40 and above, and worked hard to get to where they are today, with driving ambition for their future.

The #StarOfStars
Tshepo ”Doctor” Thajane is the winner of the newly-established Kovsies Star of Stars competition, and as such received a full bursary from the UFS, among other sponsorships. He has enrolled in Actuarial Sciences and will be housed at the Karee residence. When asked what drew him to our university, he responds: “I just loved the university before I entered it, and I chose the UFS because of the respect I was shown.”

Friendly reception
Lendl Ontong will be pursuing his LLB in the Faculty of Law, and has obtained a place in the brotherhood of the Karee residence. The Ontong family hails from Worcester in the Western Cape. Lendl’s father, Mr Lionel Ontong, had this to say of his experience: “The staff at the UFS, especially at the admissions office, is the friendliest group of people I’ve ever come across, and helpful as well. My wife was sceptical when I told her about the friendly treatment I experienced when I phoned the university, but when she witnessed it today, she could see it first-hand. The friendliness is contagious, and even though I’m tired after the long journey, their attitude has rubbed off on me. And my wife now has the assurance that her child is going to be happy here. The atmosphere is one of homeliness. It’s fantastic! Even the netball coach introduced herself to my son and invited him to pop in for a cup of tea, and she won’t even be involved with his university journey. It meant a lot to us as parents.”

Description: Jani Gerber  Tags: Jani Gerber

Jani Gerber and her dad Jaco Gerber.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

Runs in the family

Jani Gerber is a second-generation Kovsie who hails from Port Elizabeth. She won the cultural division in the Matriculant of the Year competition in 2016 and was invited to join the UFS. According to her, she “didn’t even consider another university”.

Her dad, Mr Jaco Gerber, says: “The whole process of application and registration was very efficient and professional. Jani’s older sister, Anri, completed her MBChB at UFS last year and is currently working at the Pelonomi Regional Hospital. Jani has already been adopted by new friends in her residence. She says, “Some charming students welcomed us at the residence, and even helped out when we were unpacking.” Jani has aspirations to sing in the annual Stagedoor and Serenade Singoff competitions.

We welcome all our first-years and look forward to supporting them throughout their university journey!

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