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Textbooks come to life as Dietetics students embrace WIL

02 June 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

In South Africa, the streets often tell stories of contrasts where wealth and poverty, tradition and modernity, and diverse cultures meet at the same intersection. It is a place where neighbours may speak different languages, worship in different ways, and sit down to very different meals. These everyday differences do not just influence how people live – they shape what ends up on their plates.

According to Dr Lucia Meko, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of the Free State (UFS), dietitians play an important role in such a diverse landscape. “Their mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed, healthy food choices that support long-term well-being. According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), dietitians are trained to provide personalised nutrition counselling aimed at preventing and managing diet-related diseases,” she says.

“This means that whether someone is dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, or simply trying to improve their eating habits, a dietitian can offer guidance tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.”

However, Dr Meko believes that while theory is important, many students only truly understand the reality of their future clients when they experience it first-hand. At the UFS, students do not have to wait until the end of their degrees to gain this insight. Community service learning begins in their very first year.

This approach immerses students in the communities they will eventually serve, offering a practical education that goes beyond textbooks. “By working directly with communities, students gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges individuals face in making healthy food choices,” she says.

“These experiences help shape well-rounded professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also empathetic and culturally aware,” adds Dr Meko.

Unlike traditional volunteering, this is structured learning with clear outcomes. Students apply classroom theory to real-world issues while simultaneously giving back. “Through this process, students develop critical thinking, cultural competence, and the ability to communicate health information in ways that are relevant and respectful,” she explains.

What really happens on the ground

To understand what this looks like in practice, Dr Meko points to a research study conducted by the department. It examines the experiences of fourth-year students during a Community Nutrition Module internship. This internship is one of eight work-integrated learning (WIL) components in the module.

In this particular placement, students work in Ward 51 in Mangaung, visiting homes and engaging directly with residents. During each visit, they profile the community member’s demographics, measure nutritional status (using weight and height), and assess dietary patterns. Afterward, they offer tailored dietary counselling.

Beyond individual visits, students also explore the broader food environment: visiting supermarkets, vegetable gardens, early childhood centres, and street vendors all form part of their learning.

Importantly, this programme is not one-sided. Feedback from both students and community members is gathered to improve the experience and assess its impact.

So far, early findings are promising. Students not only learned; they were transformed. “Interestingly, students mostly showed appreciation for their own privileges in comparison to the disadvantaged communities they visited,” says Dr Meko. One student reflected: “It humbled me and made me very grateful for all that I have, because I think we really lose sight of that sometimes.”

After a township tour, another student admitted: “This was very insightful, as we often have stereotypes about the way people live and what people eat, simply because of where they live.”

In a cooking activity, students were challenged to apply dietary guidelines in real kitchens. The outcome? A deeper understanding of the barriers faced by many. “Dietetic guidelines we have given to some patients were really put into perspective, as cooking with less salt is not as easy as we think,” says Dr Meko, quoting student feedback.

Some even used what they learned in other placements. One student took a simple grocery list she developed during her internship to the hospital setting: “It is the most practical way to influence someone to shop differently.”

Others were inspired to continue working in food access. “I was impressed with the size of the vegetable gardens and was also inspired to be part of projects like these in the future,” shared another student.

Perhaps one of the most powerful observations came from a student who said: “I feel empowered but also sad to see that this is how most of the country is living and that we can make a difference, no matter how small.”

A lasting impact for both student and community

For Dr Meko, this is exactly what service learning should achieve. “While lectures and textbooks can teach the theory behind intercultural competence, it’s the face-to-face interactions – listening to people’s stories, understanding their struggles, and working alongside them – that truly bring those lessons to life.”

She adds that this kind of learning also builds stronger, more respectful relationships between the university and the communities it serves. “It fosters partnerships built on mutual respect, shared goals, and the exchange of knowledge and resources – locally and beyond.”

Community service learning is not just a tick-box exercise. In the UFS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, it is a meaningful bridge between knowledge and empathy, between theory and reality, and – most importantly – between future dietitians and the people whose lives they hope to improve.

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus opens: Prof. PA Mbati's speech

2005-01-22

Official welcome speech by Prof. PA Mbati for 2005 first year students held on Saturday 22nd January 2005. Program Director, The Chief Director Operations Rev. Kiepi Jaftha, Dean of Students Dr. Natie Luyt, Program Head of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Elias Malete, Program Head of Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Riaan Luyt, Acting Program Head of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Prof. Andries Venter, Deputy Director Student Affairs Mr. Teboho Manchu, Coordinator Finance: Mrs. Elizabeth Nchapi, Senior Librarian Mr. Stoffel Kok, Senior Magistrate Mr Saul Mohosho, SRC President Mr. Tello Motloung, members of staff, invited guests, parents, guardians, my dear students, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you to the official welcoming ceremony of the UFS-Qwaqwa Campus 2005 first year students. Our Rector and Vice Chancellor Professor Frederick has requested me to pass to you his warmest wishes and regards on this special occasion. I am confident that the orientation exercise in which you have participated has achieved the desired effect of introducing you to your new way of life here on campus, and that you are now sufficiently prepared to get on with the rigors of being a student at this University.

Following the restructuring of the higher education landscape, the Qwaqwa campus was incorporated into the University of the Free State with effect from January 1 2003 . As a consequence, Management was faced with a whole complex series of challenges including, primarily making the campus financially viable, but also ensuring that it remains relevant in it’s core business as a satellite campus of the University of the Free State in terms of its teaching, learning, research and community service responsibilities.

A whole series of strategic planning workshops were conducted last year with both internal and external stakeholders. Various important strategic objectives were flagged out, and the next level of consultation will take place soon. I know that there is a lot of eagerness, sometimes to the level of impatience to see this process completed as quickly as possible. But again on the other hand, due to the far reaching consequences of any hasty decisions, plus the need for a carefully planned process, we need to be a little more patient before the implementation of the strategic objectives is implemented. You will be kept informed as this important and critical aspect in the evolution of our campus takes place.

As a response to the need for a more effective governance model on the Qwaqwa campus, a review of the governance structure was completed towards the end of 2004 and will soon serve before the Executive of the Executive Management for approval.

Due to the importance that top management attaches to the development of an effective governance on the Qwaqwa campus, the process was facilitated by an internationally acclaimed consultant. Again the contents of the revised governance model will be made known to the campus and the broader community once it is approved.

I am glad to report that in recognition of the need to improve the infrastructure on campus to provide a conducive learning atmosphere to our students, a total of 8.2 million rands was made available towards the end of 2004 for recapitalization of specifically our student residences and lecture venues. The first phase of the residence renovation is completed and residences C, D and E have now been officially handed over to the University by the Contractor. Among the features of the renovated residences is that they will now computer rooms, kitchenettes for cooking, and a redesigned TV room. The rooms have even been fitted with heaters. Our challenge will now be to maintain our newly acquired facilities and to ensure that they do not again deteriorate to an un-acceptable level. The second phase of renovation will start soon.

As indicated in my address during the orientation week, our obligation to you as a campus is to offer you quality training to the best of our ability, and to disseminate this knowledge to you within a conducive atmosphere worthy of good learning. On the other hand, our students have to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and training in the various academic programs that we offer on campus.

We have a very simple agenda on this campus – our vision is to continuously strive to build and develop the Qwaqwa campus of University of the Free State into a truly quality institution of higher learning in our country. To develop a tradition and culture in which we are proud of who we are, and constantly and tirelessly working towards excellence in our academic programs, and other non-academic but core and important aspects in your growth and development such as sport and community service. To nurture young conscientious citizens who are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Ultimately to produce hard working young people who fully exploit their potentials, and who will serve this country with diligence when unleashed into the real world in effectively managing their roles and responsibilities in society, whether in private or government civil service.

I would like to encourage that the various stake holders of this campus, the students, academic, administrative and support staff, and our broader community, to work together in harmony for the well being of our campus. For this campus to continue to be relevant in the environment that we find ourselves, there is a need for continuous engagement of its various stake holders, and genuinely listening to each other. We must continuously and regularly keep our feelers on alert in order that we can remain relevant.

I am particularly inviting our parents and guardians, the alumni of this campus, and leaders from our community to join hands with us in seeking solutions to the various challenges that we continue to face on campus. I am open for frank and honest discourse on the best way forward for our campus.

The University of the Free State is committed in making tertiary education accessible to as many students as possible. In this regard, students who do not have the required ‘M’ score to gain entry into main stream classes are given an opportunity to study in the highly successful ‘bridging program’ in which learners are integrated with main stream students but with fewer courses to tackle in order to ensure success. This is done on the premise that such students have the potential to pursue a degree course, and that therefore within a well structured program, they can make a success of their lives.

The University is conscious of the fact that in many instances several academically deserving students fail to be admitted into university due to financial reasons. For students who are academically deserving but who because of reasons of poverty cannot pay the requisite fees, the university is able to assist such students through the National Financial Aid Scheme – commonly known as NSFAS, and University Merit Awards. Other incentives such as Sports bursaries are also available.

Please remember that it is important to balance your life on campus and the phrase ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’ aptly describes this statement. Ensure that you participate in sport and cultural activities of this campus so that you can develop and strengthen the various God-given talents that you have been blessed with.

A second major ingredient for your success on campus is discipline and respect for rules, policies and procedures that govern the University of the Free State , and respect for your fellow students. Good discipline is a major contributory factor to success in life, and more so in your formative academic life at University. This means for example that you must attend all your lectures, complete your assignments on-time and visit the library frequently. Please manage your time wisely and responsibly. Remember that as a university student, you are basically the master and architect of your own destiny.

Think very carefully when you are confronted with difficult situations, be they negative peer pressure, or temptations to indulge in intoxicating drugs, and make the right choice.

The University has well trained personnel including a social worker, a psychologist and counselor, and members of the student affairs division under the leadership of Mr. Teboho Manchu, Deputy Director Student Affairs, who are available to assist whenever you require their help.

Today is also a special day because we have officially inaugurated the SRC President and the rest of the SRC leadership. I am sure that you all join me in congratulating the SRC for being elected to their leadership roles for 2005. Mr. SRC president and your team, please remember that you now have a huge responsibility in carrying out the aspirations of the student body on campus. I want to wish you luck and success as you champion the rights of your constituents, which I believe and trust will be compatible with management’s expectations with regard to quality teaching and learning on campus. As you are aware, Management values the input that the student leadership makes in the operational management of the affairs of this campus, and we look forward to a cordial, non-confrontational working relationship with a view of rendering un-paralleled service on campus.

Mr. Program Director, allow me to wish everyone here a successful and prosperous year. May the good Lord give us the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle that may be placed in our way in the course of our work in 2005.

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