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UFS leads South Africa’s first Community Development Conference

19 November 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Blackhood Photography

The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly hosted South Africa's inaugural Community Development Conference, a landmark national event. Held at the scenic Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets, the conference drew an overwhelming oversubscription of 205 delegates, bringing together a diverse community of practitioners, academics, government representatives, and civil society under the theme: "Grounding the future: Community voices and practice pathways for inclusive development."

In his opening and welcome address, Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, expressed deep gratitude for the extensive support received. "Thank you to the government departments represented here - Social Development, CoGTA, Health, and others - as well as to the many non-profit organisations that have lent their unwavering support," he said, emphasising the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

National and international collaboration

The UFS worked in strategic partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to bring this significant platform to life. This collaboration reinforced the message that community development is "everyone’s business", a sentiment reflected in the broad and diverse participation.

International representation included delegates from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Austria, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Eswatini, alongside participants linked to institutions in Germany and North America. Nationally, delegates travelled from across South Africa – including the Western Cape, North-West, Northern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal - demonstrating the conference's wide-reaching relevance and appeal.

Keynote address: Managing the developmental state

A major highlight of the second day was the keynote address delivered by Onkematse Kabasia, Head of the Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal. His presentation, titled "South Africa's path to a developmental state: A managerial analysis of the Department of Social Development's transition," offered a compelling exploration of the shifts required within government departments to effectively manage and advance the objectives of a developmental state.

Kabasia outlined the managerial challenges and institutional reforms necessary to transition from a predominantly welfare-oriented system to one that actively drives inclusive social and economic development. His insights sparked robust discussion among academics, practitioners, and government delegates, highlighting the crucial role of efficient public-sector management in strengthening the community development sector ahead of the 2026 National Community Development Conference.

Charting the path to 2026

More than a standalone event, the inaugural conference forms part of a strategic lead-up to the 2026 National Community Development Conference. Its core purpose was to elevate community voices, promote ethical practice, and build collaborative pathways toward a professionalised, effective community development sector in South Africa.

The programme offered a rich and balanced mix of academic papers, interactive panel discussions, and practical workshops, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the conference theme.

A notable highlight from the first day included an address by Norman (Pankie) Matomela on "CoGTA and Community Work," followed by an insightful national perspective on community development presented by Peter Netshipale. These contributions laid a strong foundation for the discussions that followed.

Advancing action research and policy implementation

A key takeaway from the conference was the strong collective commitment to Action Research and the translation of policy into effective practice. Delegates expressed a shared resolve to move beyond theoretical discussion toward tangible, results-oriented community development.

Participants agreed that effective community development requires:

Action research: The use of participatory methodologies that engage communities directly and deliver practical, context-specific solutions.

Policy implementation: The successful operationalisation of high-level policies - such as those discussed by keynote speakers Kabasia and Matomela - into on-the-ground interventions that drive inclusive development.

This emphasis on results and accountability underscores the conference's role as a crucial step toward a more professionalised and impactful community development sector in South Africa.

News Archive

TEDxUFS conference - the highlight of the university’s innovative calendar

2015-08-11

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance with co-organisers of TEDxUFS Bonginkosi Leeuw and Lerothodi Molete after his inspirational talk at the event.
Photo: Curtis Nhlamulo Mashimbye

This year’s TEDxUFS speaker lineup persuaded the audience unanimously to question the nature of reality. The Albert Wessels Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus was packed with about 200 attendees on Saturday 1 August 2015.

Speakers shared a multiplicity of profound theories and inquisitions, challenging society in general to think out of the box. Melody Mentz, Gil Oved, Ricardo Peach, Pamela Nomvete, Pepe Marais, Mmusi Maimane, Brian Kally, Pieter Geldenhuys, Philippa Tumubweinee, Gareth Cliff, and Angelo Mockie took on to the stage to tackle multidisciplinary concepts as part of the broad ‘Ask Why’ theme.

Innovation mouthpieces share their worldview

Pieter Geldenhuys, the internationally-renowned futurist and Director of the Institute for Technology Strategy, and Innovation proposed that we change our mindsets by neglecting predictability. “We need to look at different models to understand the world around us,” he said. He challenged the linear and familiar ways humans make sense of the universe.

Speaking to the dire need for transformation, Philippa Tumubweinee suggested that university spaces merge with the communities they serve in terms of policies, social atmosphere, and physical structure. Tumubweinee is a senior Lecturer at the Department of Architecture at our university, and co-Founder and Director of Izuba In Africa architects.

“Only we can give permission to be intimidated; so don’t give in,” said Brian Kally, the CEO of Arrow Logistics (Pty) Ltd. Kally underscored the power of believing in our individual ideas.

Guidelines from TEDxUFS organisers

Bonginkosi Leeuw: “If you take your brainchild and implement it, and make it a reality, that’s when you can achieve great things, not before that.”

Lerothodi Molete: “You should ask questions; the moment you ask the question you will understand more.”

Real-time social media feedback

These are some of the comments audience members published on Twitter at the event:

IG: mispertanzy ?@MiesperTanzy Aug 1

A huge shout-out to @TEDxUFS for hosting such a great conference!The team has really made the event an unmissable one on the UFS calendar.

Celebrabitur? ?@HatsuMphatsoe Aug 1

Proximity that allows us to experience our broader society. Truly engaged by Philippa Tumbweinee's talk! @TEDxUFS

TEDxJohannesburg ?@TEDxJoburg Aug 1

A big shoutout to @TEDxUFS from for a fantastic event. Wish we were there.

RicardoPeach ?@ricardopeach Aug 1

Africa is rich with potential #TEDXUFS @MmusiMaimane Yes!

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