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24 July 2025 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied
Mandela Day event at Heidedal Child and Youth Centre
Attending the Mandela Day event at Heidedal Child and Youth Centre, from left to right: Prof Joseph Pali, Associate Professor in the Department of Practical and Missional Theology; Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele, Director of Community Engagement; Jeannet Molopyane, Director of UFS Library and Information Services; Prof John Klaasen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion; Caroline Nombula, Heidedal Child and Youth Care Centre; and Kegomodicwe Phuthi, Assistant Director for Marketing and Community Engagement at UFS Library and Information Services.
In a powerful display of its commitment to societal transformation, the University of the Free State (UFS) marked Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July with a collaborative outreach initiative at the Heidedal Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC). 

Driven by the theme of empowerment through education and creativity, the Faculty of Theology and Religion, Library and Information Services (LIS), Community Engagement Office, School of Financial Planning Law, and UFS Makerspace partnered to officially launch a library at the centre – a milestone aimed at fostering a love of reading and academic development among the youth.

Jeanette Molopyane, Director of LIS, emphasised the lasting impact of the project. “The establishment of this library is about making a meaningful and enduring difference in the lives of these children. Through regular interaction with books and the reading club, we aim to inspire a love for reading that will enhance intellectual growth, build confidence, and open doors to a brighter future,” she said. 

Molopyane added that the initiative reflects UFS’s broader mission to empower communities and support the development of future leaders beyond the borders of its campuses. 

Prof John Klaasen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, underscored the importance of engaged scholarship in meaningful research. “This was not just a day of service but a demonstration of what is possible through collaboration. It reflects a theology and religion that serves beyond the classroom and affirms our collective role in shaping a better future for all,” he noted. “Mandela Day reminds us of our calling to reconciliation, compassion, and shared responsibility – values that must anchor our teaching, research, and outreach.”

The initiative left a profound impression on the Heidedal CYCC. Carolina Nombula, representing the Centre, shared the gratitude of the staff and children: “Mandela Day brought a deep sense of joy, belonging, and dignity. The library, especially, is life-changing – it provides a safe, inspiring space for learning, imagination, and personal growth. It reminds our children that they matter, their dreams are valid, and they are not forgotten.”

Through collaborative efforts such as this, the UFS continues to give tangible expression to its mandate as a caring institution – one that champions opportunity, nurtures potential, and works towards a more equitable and inclusive society. 

News Archive

Badminton: Kovsies rule the national students championships
2006-04-11

Kovsies' badminton players again, as in the past few years, rule the national students championships currently being presented in Pretoria by TUT and UP.

 The men, Chris Dednam, Roelof Dednam, Wiaan Viljoen and Raymond Ronne, had no other serious competition and were left to each other's rivalry.  Especially Roelof Dednam performed excellent by surprisingly going through to the finals in beating Viljoen in the singles, and with Elaine Lues also Chris Dednam and Liansa Coetzee in the mixed doubles.

 In the absence of Annari Viljoen (injured) and Sone Strauss (retired), the less experienced girls, Liansa Coetzee and Lizl Janse van Rensburg, had to uphold the Kovsie name.  They performed excellent by taking third and fourth positions.

In the team competition which now takes place,  Kovsies should make a clean sweep.

It is a pity that, through financial restraints, Kovsies players will not in October strengthen the SASSU team to the world student championships in China.

Results of the individual championships:

Men's singles:  winner - Chris Dednam (UFS), runner-up - Roelof Dednam (UFS), third - Wiaan Viljoen (UFS), fourth - Raymond Ronne (UFS);

Men's doubles:  winners - Chris Dednam / Roelof Dednam (UFS), runners-up- Wiaan Viljoen / Raymond Ronne (UFS);

Women's singles:  winner - Kerry-Lee Harrington (KZN), runner-up - Christina English (TUT), third - Liansa Coetzee (UFS), fourth - Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS);

Women's doubles:  winners - Kerry-Lee Harrington (KZN) / Christina English (TUT), runners-up - Liansa Coetzee (UFS) / Maret Visser (NW), quarter-finals - Elaine Lues / Anel Vorster (UFS), Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS) / Sarah Rice (Wits);

Mixed doubles:  winners - Andre van Schalkwyk / Christina English (TUT), runners-up - Roelof Dednam / Elaine Lues (UFS), third - Chris Dednam / Liansa Coetzee (UFS), fourth - Wiaan Viljoen / Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS).

 

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