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27 October 2025
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Story Sefako Mokhosoa
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Photo Supplied
Ten Grade 12 learners from Mampoi Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba.
On 1 October 2025, the Projects and Innovation Directorate in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State (UFS) proudly hosted a certificate ceremony to honour ten Grade 12 learners from Mampoi Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba on the Qwaqwa Campus. These learners completed a Skills Development Initiative and Workshop Series focused on digital literacy and ICT skills – a programme designed to equip rural youth with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.
The initiative, which ran from May to August 2025, was made possible through a strategic partnership with BANKSETA to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. The learners received hands-on training in essential digital tools. Each learner also received a tablet to support continued learning and personal growth beyond the classroom.
The Director of the office in the Faculty of Education, Dr Kwazi Magwenzi, stressed that digital skills promote independence and self-directed learning. “Grade 12 is a time when learners should manage their studies, meet deadlines, and explore their options,” she said. “Digital fluency supports that autonomy. It enables learners to use online research, interactive tools, e-learning, and collaboration platforms to make learning more effective, flexible, and aligned with their pace and style. In Grade 12, where the stakes are high – with exams, tertiary entrance, and career choices – this ability helps learners become more self-directed, confident, and equipped.”
The programme not only built learners’ confidence in using ICT tools for learning and communication but also prepared them for the technologically driven environments they will encounter in institutions of higher learning.
Beyond developing digital skills, the project offered learners valuable exposure to the university environment, as their training took place on campus. Inspired by the success of this pilot, the Faculty of Education now aims to expand the initiative to reach more schools and learners across the region. The vision is to scale up access to digital education and empower more young people in rural areas with the skills necessary for academic and professional success.
This ceremony marked the conclusion of a successful training programme and the beginning of a long-term commitment to digital empowerment and lifelong learning in rural communities.
Disruption of academic activities on the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses
2017-10-18
This morning, a group of students blocked the main entrance of the Qwaqwa Campus and handed a memorandum to the campus management. Academic activities were cancelled and will resume tomorrow (Thursday 19 October 2017).
Disruption of some academic activities occurred on the Bloemfontein Campus this afternoon after a meeting of students took place at the Student Lekgotla. Members of the executive management subsequently met with the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (SRC).
It was agreed that the students want to take part in a march to the provincial government office, demanding free education and the release of the Heher Commission’s Report on the feasibility of fee-free higher education and training by President Jacob Zuma. The executive management supports peaceful protests on matters that are of concern to our students and indicated that the march should include staff and students from the UFS and Central University of Technology, as well as other relevant stakeholders. A memorandum will be handed to the executive management tomorrow.
The situation on the Bloemfontein Campus is under control and is being closely monitored. Academic activities on the campus will also continue as normal tomorrow.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393