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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.
Results of UFS Sevens Rugby Team
2007-04-19
The Sevens Rugby Team of the University of the Free State's (UFS) Shimlas team has won the world renowned Melrose Sevens Tournament hosted in Scotland on Saturday 14 April 2007. It is the second year that the Shimlas have been invited to participate in the tournament. They are also the only South African team who was invited.
The first game was played against Herriots which the Shimlas won 17-12. They won the second game against Galashields 42-0. The semi-final was played against Watsonians which the Shimlas won 19-0 to put them into the final. The final was played against Newcastle Falcons, which is a professional club from London. The result was in favour of the Shimlas who won 17-10, which made them the winners of the tournament.
The coach was Waksie Prinsloo, the team manager Marius van Rensburg and the Physiotherapist was Edith Maritz. This is an outstanding accomplishment not only for the university and the club, but also for South Africa.