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UFS celebrates rise of student to African Union Student Parliament

12 March 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus is radiating with pride as Sociology master's student, Sanelisiwe Khumalo, has been elected to the prestigious African Union Student Parliament (AUSP). This achievement highlights the exceptional calibre of students nurtured within the institution, demonstrating their potential to effect significant change on a continental scale.

African Union Student Parliament welcomes UFS representative

Khumalo's election is testament to her academic excellence, unwavering leadership, and profound dedication to student representation. As a student in the Department of Sociology, she has consistently displayed a keen understanding of complex social issues and a fervent passion for driving positive change.

The AUSP serves as a vital platform for student voices across Africa, providing a space for young leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, advocate for student rights, and contribute to shaping higher education policies. Khumalo's presence in this esteemed body will undoubtedly bring invaluable perspectives, representing the interests of UFS students with distinction.

"Congratulations, Sanelisiwe Khumalo, on your remarkable achievement," remarked Divane Nzima, Senior Lecturer and Subject Head of the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of The Humanities. "Being elected to the African Union Student Parliament is an indication of your dedication to contributing towards positive social change. As a Sociology master’s student at the University of the Free State, you have made us immensely proud. We wish you strength and wisdom to inspire change across the continent."

UFS sociology student inspires change on continental stage

Khumalo’s journey is a shining example of the transformative power of education and the boundless opportunities available to students on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. Her success story embodies the university’s commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential, aligning with the UFS’ Vision 130 as a student-centred institution focused on excellence and impact.

Adding to her impressive journey, Khumalo participated in an enriching exchange programme at the University of Education Freiburg in Germany last year. This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), has opened doors for students, staff, and faculty members to engage in valuable academic and cultural exchanges.

Khumalo was an early beneficiary of this partnership and spent four months in Freiburg, immersing herself in the vibrant academic and cultural landscape. "The opportunity to study at the University of Education Freiburg was a dream come true," Khumalo shared. "The university's reputation for innovative teaching methods and its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment were incredibly appealing."

This experience, coupled with her dedication and leadership, has prepared her for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the AUSP. Her journey serves as an inspiration to fellow students, demonstrating that with dedication, passion, and a commitment to excellence, they can achieve their dreams and contribute to shaping a better future.

News Archive

UFS academic delivers inaugural lecture on challenges confronting political science in the 21st century

2012-10-12

Prof. Hussein Solomon.
Photo: Stephen Collett
12 October 2012

Full version of the lecture

This week Prof. Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor in the Department of Political Studies and Governance delivered his inaugural lecture on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

In his lecture, “Challenges confronting political science in the 21st century, A South African perspective”, Prof. Solomon explored five challenges to academic political science in general and to South African political scientists in particular.

The challenges include the need to localise international relations theory with an emphasis on the emancipatory dimensions; exploring the nexus between technology and politics; incorporating political anthropology into mainstream political science syllabi; rising to the challenge of governing Africa’s cities; and the dangers of over-specialisation in an era that demands the use of a broader academic lens.

According to Prof. Solomon, political science has come a long way from those heady days in 1950 when Lasswell could confidently state that politics was about who gets what, when and how.

“Indeed, the world of 2012 scarcely resembles the world of 1950. Immanuel Wallerstein was correct in his assessment that the modern world system is coming to an end. As political scientists, we need to interrogate our existing knowledge constructs in relation to this rapidly changing reality. We need to indigenise international relations theory and emphasise creating an emancipatory and counter-hegemonic discourse.

We need to explore the nexus between technology and politics to deepen our democracy by empowering the margins in our societies. We need to embrace political anthropology as we strive to understand non-Western forms of governance. We need to use these understandings of traditional societies as we create hybrid forms of urban governance that stress inclusivity as we overcome the politics of identity and difference. We need to heed the call of De Tocqueville and create a new political science to understand the new times by supplementing disciplinary insights with those from other disciplines. In doing so, political science will once more regain its relevance to humanity in the twenty-first century,” Prof. Solomon said.

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