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27 October 2025 | Story Sefako Mokhosoa | Photo Supplied
BANKSETA
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.

News Archive

Kovsie Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year
2011-10-19

 

Thuso Mpuang en Gabisile Hlumbane
Foto: Leonie Bolleurs

KovsieSport honoured its top achievers at a glamorous gala dinner in the Centenary Complex on our Bloemfontein Campus on 13 October 2011.

The KovsieSportsman and KovsieSportswoman of the year were Thuso Mpuang and Gabisile Hlumbane respectively.

Gabisile is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Thuso represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Pieter Rademan (rugby) and Karla Mostert (netball) were named as the Junior Sportman and Sportwoman of the year, respectively.

Other nominations for this year in the women’s category were:

  • Lesley Ann George (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.
  • Nicole de Vries (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo.  The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Hettie Oosthuizen (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Izelle Lategan (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Nicole Kemp (hockey) – Member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Nelmaré Loubser (triathlon) – Represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.
  • Janette Siebert (athletics) – Represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
  • Elsabe le Roux (karate) – Member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Other nominations for this year in the men’s category were:

  • Boy Soke (athletics) - Represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.
  • Boom Prinsloo (rugby) – He represented the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2010 – 2011.
  • Bruno Schwalbach (karate) – Member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.
  • Paul Rodrigues (squash) – He represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.
  • Balungile Nchofe (karate) – He was a member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo where he obtained a gold medal.
     

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