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SASUF students dig in to fight hunger at the UFS

23 June 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

There is something powerful about getting your hands in the soil, even more so when it is to help someone else. That is exactly what the group of South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) students did at the end of May, marking World Hunger Day by joining forces with Kovsie ACT to maintain and prepare food garden beds on the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus.

The SASUF student team is helping with the upkeep of 40 vegetable beds in the food tunnels near Welwitschia Residence. These beds were established to supply fresh produce to students in need – a small effort with a big purpose.

Simba Matema, Research Assistant from the Office for International Affairs and SASUF Student Network National Coordinator, says this project is about more than planting vegetables. “We want to make sure that students who are struggling financially can benefit. But we also want to learn, to grow skills in agriculture and sustainability,” he explains.

A learning experience with real impact

Second-year student Lesego Moeleso says being involved in the garden is “a refreshing change of scenery” and a great way to “interact with students from different fields of study”. He adds: “We all want to help our fellow students who don’t have enough food.”

Third-year UFS student Njabulo Sibeko agrees. “It’s a unique mix of academic enrichment, personal growth, and community engagement,” he says. “Even if the impact is small, it goes a long way. This project gives us a chance for hands-on learning and skills development, environmental sustainability and awareness, as well as social connections.”

Sibeko believes the garden also works as a “live experiment for environmental education”, teaching about “composting, water conservation, and organic farming”. He says, “Different vegetables have different nutrition, and if we can hold small workshops as to why we need to eat specific vegetables during different seasons, it will help teach us about the value they have for our body.”

Final-year Law student Shemsa Nzeyimana says her favourite part of being involved is “seeing the impact of our efforts” and “watching the garden grow and flourish”. “I love being part of a team that shares a common vision for creating positive change through sustainable practices,” she says. “And the fact that I get to be out of my comfort zone while building my social skills.”

Towards a sustainable solution

Nzeyimana hopes the garden “will become a hub for community engagement”, connecting students, staff, and locals while promoting sustainable food systems. “The garden directly addresses food security while also serving as a hands-on learning space for nutritional education and sustainable agriculture,” she adds. “By promoting sustainable gardening practices, the garden raises environmental awareness and encourages the campus community to think critically about food systems and their impact.”

At the UFS, where 59% of students report going hungry and 60% skip meals for financial reasons, the need is undeniable. Matema says by “giving students a role in the solution”, the stigma around food aid is reduced. “It becomes a shared project, not a handout.”

As Nzeyimana sums it up: “This garden can become a space for learning, connection, and hope – a place where change grows from the ground up.”

Besides Kovsie ACT, the initiative includes partners such as the Institute for Groundwater Studies, University Estates, the UFS Food Environment Office, and residences. External partners such as Tiger Brands, Sakata Seeds, and Kwaggafontein Nursery also support the project.

News Archive

UFS acknowledge 53 for long service

2004-11-03

Long service awards for 35 years: Mrs. Christa du Plessis, Centre for Higher Education studies and Development, mnr. John Moorosi, Soil- and Crop- and Climate Sciences , prof. Frederick Fourie, rector, prof. Jopie Botha, Institute for Groundwater Studies, me. Susan Reineke, Plant Sciences, Dr. Sarie van Vuuren of Sociology and me. Aletta de Klerk, Kovsie Sport.

Fifty three personnel members received long service awards in the centenary year of the university for respectively 35 years of service and 25 years of service.

Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector, said to the recipients of the long service awards: “In a year in which the writing of history of the UFS took a prominent place in the Centenary celebrations and in which one relived the past hundred years, the value we add to the university on a daily basis is clearly visible. Many personnel members contributed to make the UFS a valued institution and will proceed to do that in the spirit of 100+.”

He thanked and acknowledged personnel for the plus they add to each day’s work. “The students which enter the UFS each year, want to thank you for an university which on an innovative manner impacted their lives. “You helped to create the building blocks for their future,” he said.

Prof. J. F. Botha, Mr M.G. Botha, Ms A. De Klerk, Mr M.J. Doman, Prof. H.C. Janse van Rensburg and Ms S.M.C. Reinecke received awards for 35 years of service.

For 25 years of service at the university Prof. S.L. Barnard, Mr B. Botma, Dr H. J. Breytenbach, Dr M.W. Brussow, Mr N.L. Combrink, Ms A.J. Du Plessis, Ms C. Du Plessis, Prof. L. Goedhals, Mr M.E. Hlazo, Prof. B.B. Hoek, Dr S.J.E. Janse van Vuuren, Mr M. Kgasane, Ms A. Kgosi, Dr W.P. Konig, Dr P.A.L. Le Roux, Prof. N.J. Luwes, Dr N. Luyt, Ms S.E. November, Ms M. Mabaso, Ms M.K. Maruping, Prof. J.D. Marx, Mr J.P. Masedi, Mr G. Mokapane, Mr J. Mokapane, Ms M.L. Molosi, Ms M.M. Molwagale, Mr P.J. Moorosi, Ms C. Moroagae, Ms E. Moroale, Mr G.G. Mothokwane, Prof. M. Mulder, Prof. A.C. Otto, Ms H. Pelser, Ms E. Pelzer, Ms M.M. Pheko, Prof. E. Pretorius, Ms M.P. Richter, Ms E. Rouls, Prof. M.T. Seaman, Prof. R.B. Snowdowne, Prof. J.P. Strauss, Ms M.S. Tsolo, Prof. H.J. van der Linde, Dr S. van Vuuren, Prof. J.B. van Wyk, Dr J.M. van Zyl, Prof. T. Verschoor and Ms M.H.S. York received an long service award.

“Be assured of my appreciation for your loyalty and commitment to a university which is taking careful steps into a new century of its existence. If we do the right things right and with a sincere belief in our heavenly Father we will be able to build on the solid foundation laid by people like you,” he said.

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