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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.
Rugby, die Ga(y)me (Afr), 25-29 August 2009
2009-08-07
Rugby, die Ga(y)me (Afr)
25-29 August 2009
Scaena Rehearsal Room
19:30
“Rugby, die Ga(y)me”, is a brand new script out of the pen of award winning young writer, Ilne Fourie. It is the first time that Fourie puts her hand to a one-man show. The script tells the story of Jottie, a young boy who struggles with his own identity and with gaining recognition and support from his rugby infatuated father, who wants nothing more than his own little rugby hero on the sport grounds; the only problem is: Jottie doesn’t want to play rugby. The script delves deep into Jottie’s upbringing, exploring his first loves and his greatest losses.
“Rugby, die Ga(y)me” is directed by DeBeer Cloete, director of “MURE”, an avant-garde production earlier this year. Cloete has also been involved in two SPAT (Sanlam Prize for Afrikaans Theatre) winning productions (“Zollie” 2005 and “Lewensreg” 2007) and is awarded double University Colours in 2005 and 2006. The role of Jottie will be portrayed by Heinrich Keogh, a familiar face to Volksblad Arts Festival goers where he played the title role in “Boer Manie se Melk word Suur”. Other appearances by this young actor include roles in “Alladdin” (2008), “Romeo and Juliet” (2006) and “the Jubileum” (2008).
Tickets for this production are available through Computicket and shows will start at 19:30 every evening from the 25th to the 29th of August in the Scaena Rehearsal Room.
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