Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
14 May 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Teboho Mositi
Motlalepula
Pictured: On the left, Prof Prince Ngobeni, Qwaqwa Campus Principal, with Motlalepula Tsotetsi, Principal of Maluti TVET College.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus has formally cemented its commitment to regional engagement by handing over signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to key local stakeholders during a significant ceremony. The partnerships with Maluti TVET College, the HaMagriza’s Indigenous Restaurant and Co-working Hub, and the Agape Foundation signal a collaborative effort focused on enhancing education, fostering community upliftment, and driving regional development.

The handover, which took place in the Senate Hall of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, was intentionally designed as a personal demonstration of the university’s dedication to building strong, enduring relationships. Prof Cias Tsotetsi, Vice-Principal: Academic and Research on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, emphasised the significance of the face-to-face engagement.

“We chose not to simply email the signed MOUs,” explained Prof Tsotetsi. “We wanted to meet face-to-face and hand them over in person, because this is about building genuine, lasting relationships. These stakeholders align with the university’s vision of becoming a hub for research, a student-centred environment, and a regionally engaged institution.”

Representatives from each partner organisation expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities unlocked by these newly formalised agreements.

Motlalepula Tsotetsi, Principal of Maluti TVET College, hailed the MOU as a pivotal moment. “Although we have collaborated with various stakeholders in the past, this marks the first formal partnership with the University of the Free State. Given our proximity, it’s long overdue, and we welcome this development.”

Echoing this sentiment, HaMagriza Director, Sabata Lepele, highlighted the importance of mutual recognition and cooperation. “As Tom Ford wisely said, ‘Collaboration is the key to success.’ This partnership creates a shared space that benefits both the university and the broader community. We’re honoured to be part of it.” He further emphasised that this milestone was significant to their journey, embodying a synergy between academia and the community to achieve remarkable outcomes. Lepele expressed HaMagriza's commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and community development through this collaboration, anticipating the co-creation of initiatives that will benefit both the university and the surrounding region. He also conveyed excitement about working together to share the unique culture and heritage of Qwaqwa.

Daniel Moloi, Director of the Agape Foundation, also warmly welcomed the formal partnership, expressing his organisation’s eagerness to collaborate with the UFS on initiatives designed to address pressing community challenges.

This ceremony marks a significant step forward in the UFS Qwaqwa Campus’ community engagement strategy, reaffirming its dedication to fostering inclusive development through strategic alliances within the local landscape. The university aspires to be a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged institution, viewing these partnerships as vital vehicles for achieving societal impact that extends beyond the continent.

News Archive

Soetdoring/Kagiso pair-up wins 2015 Stagedoor
2015-03-03

With a new format and residences mixing it up, the 2015 Stagedoor proved to be a success yet again, leaving Soetdoring and Kagiso with the spoils of victory.

Stagedoor (the annual first-year residence stage and serenade competition) saw a change of format this year where residences were combined to perform in a few number of outdoor venues for rotations.

Prior to this, Residence CoRC Cultures expressed much concern regarding the co-operation that might (or might not) be achieved with working with other residences. These were all early stage fears. However, as their preparations progressed there seemed to be a glint of light at the end of many groups’ tunnels.

Seven diverse and combined groups made it through to final, namely;

• Vishuis and Tswelopele,
• Karee and Armentum,
• Sonnedou and NJ van der Merwe,
• Soetdoring and Kagiso,
• Roosmaryn and Vergeert-My-Nie,
• Villa Bravado and Madelief, and
• and Veritas and Marjolein.

The finals proved that the efforts and sleepless nights of RC Cultures, first-years, composers, and other behind-the-scenes contributors can really make any situation work.

As always, the crowd was blown away by the musical and vocal talent of first-years, as some compositions gave the audience goose bumps, leaving them asking for more. All in all, the evening created a frenzy, causing residences to interact whereas they would have never done so before.

According to the Student Affairs’ Arts and Culture office, the aim behind the new format was to break the barriers between residences. Arts and Culture were also pleased as to with how the RCs worked around accommodating their partners and ensuring maximum co-operation, despite some challenges.

As the night neared its closeclosing, residences were chanting their names and showing their pride in their first years’ performances.

2015 Stagedoor final results:

1. Soetdoring and Kagiso
2. Roosmaryn and Vergeet-My-Nie
3. Vishuis and Tswelopele

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept