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Prof Zorodzai Dube, Head of the Department of Religion Studies at the UFS, and Thabo Seotsanyana, representative for the African Centre of Excellence, formalised a collaboration to advance research into African spirituality.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Theology and Religion recently made history as the first institution to partner with the African Centre of Excellence in a significant collaboration advancing research and education on African indigenous spirituality.

This partnership is set to foster a deeper understanding of African indigenous knowledge, highlighting its importance and addressing misconceptions about its practices.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the parties outlines the facilitation of joint research and teaching initiatives. According to Prof Zorodzai Dube, Head of the Department of Religion Studies at the UFS, the MoU will provide UFS students with the unique opportunity to engage with African indigenous knowledge systems, particularly those related to herbs, healthcare, and traditional healing practices.

“The collaboration aims to enrich the students’ academic experience and provide them with critical insights into African indigenous spirituality,” Prof Dube said. “Furthermore, this partnership is seen as a key step toward furthering UFS’s vision to become a leading institution in research, including Africanisation and pan-African research.” He added that the faculty views this collaboration as a springboard for strengthening its position as a leader in addressing Africa-related issues in education and research.

Significance of this partnership

Thabo Seotsanyana, Curriculum Developer for the African Centre of Excellence, emphasised that this partnership will challenge long-standing misconceptions about African spirituality while fostering a deeper appreciation for its value and relevance in contemporary society. “This collaboration is a landmark event for several reasons. It emphasises the importance of African indigenous spirituality in academic discourse and provides a platform for decolonising knowledge systems.”

In his address, Seotsanyana highlighted that the African Hidden Voices is committed to transforming mindsets, particularly within African nations. He spoke about how generations have been influenced by ideologies that dismiss African spiritual practices in favour of foreign belief systems, and how this partnership aims to reverse that trend.

“We are delighted to be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the most highly regarded institutions in South Africa,” Seotsanyana shared, reading a message from Imboni Dr uZwi-Lezwe Radebe, founder of African Hidden Voices. “This marks a significant milestone in our history that will be remembered for years.”

Impact on future generations

Seotsanyana highlighted that the organisation is dedicated to educating individuals about African spirituality, fostering African leadership, and embracing traditional African ways of life.

“Our mission is to nurture a new generation that understands, values, and actively engages with African spirituality,” he explained. “This initiative marks a significant step in the academic exploration and preservation of African indigenous spirituality. It aims to leave a lasting legacy that inspires future generations to reconnect with their heritage, challenge outdated views, and adopt an inclusive, spiritually enriched way of life. This aligns with the University of the Free State’s Vision 130, which promotes inclusivity and ethical values, ensuring that everyone feels represented, welcomed, and has access to the university’s resources.”

News Archive

A learning path for working adults
2009-02-09

 
From the left are: Ms Maquida du Preez (MDP Programme Manager), Ms Eliche Lorandi ( Marketing Executive), Mr Theo Potgieter (BEE and Transformation Manager), Ms Marie Griebenouw (Programme Manager) and Mr Danie Jacobs (Head: Centre fro Business Dynamics).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe
 
 In the short space of five years, the Centre for Business Dynamics at the University of the Free State (UFS) has grown in stature to such an extent that it is currently offering leadership development programmes at 45 institutions all over the country.

Speaking at the fifth anniversary of the centre’s establishment, its director, Mr Danie Jacobs, said the centre was the first commercial unit in South Africa, attached to a business school, to establish a desk focusing on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Transformation in association with Empowerdex.

The main purpose of this joint venture with Empowerdex is to deliver comprehensive BEE training through the development and presentation of various programmes.

The centre has also introduced the High-Performing Directors’ Programme in association with ABSA. A total of about 40 students have enrolled for this programme so far,and their numbers fluctuate every year.

It is also the first unit in the country to link up with Thinking Fusion, one of the three consultancies contracted by the UFS, to introduce two unique leadership programmes, namely a programme in Creating Leadership and Personal Capacity in Women and the Leadership in the Connection Economy programme.

“Our aim is to prepare women for full participation as managers and leaders in transforming organizations to become truly integrated and representative of the full diversity spectrum of South Africa,” Mr Jacobs said.

“We have built amazing relationships with various clients, both in the private and public sector, over the last five years,” said Mr Jacobs. “I believe the success of the Centre for Business Dynamics lies within our methodology of action learning, as well as creating a learning path for working adults.”

“Because of our country’s history not all people are on an equal footing when it comes to prior learning, so we level the playing field by breaking the training up into easily absorbable components. The centre can address the training needs of any company because of the multiple resources that we are fortunate enough to have at our fingertips,” he said.

The centre also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Strategy and Management, aimed at bringing all parties involved in the field of taxation up to date with the latest developments and changes.

In addition, the centre has introduced The Choice and The Choice at Work programme in association with the Arbinger Institute in the United States of America. There are also two management programmes, namely the Management Preparation Programme and the Management Development Programme.

Apart from these programmes, the centre also offers products and services such as short courses, workshops and consultations.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
9 February 2009
 

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