Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Months
January February March May April June July August September October
Previous Archive
24 October 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Skills Festival
Lutho Xamlashe – a third-year Bachelor of Administration student – from ACCESS, showing Bokamoso Makae how to crochet. Makae says she wants to learn as much as possible at the Learning Festival.
Held under the theme Building self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-sustainable livelihoods for responsible societal futures, the Directorate Community Engagement at the University of the Free State’s Learning Festival this year created a space for lively interaction and practical learning. With about 150 people taking part each day, the atmosphere was alive with energy, a will to learn, and a real sense of people helping one another to live more independently and make the most of what they have.

Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele, Director of Community Engagement, captured the spirit of the event perfectly: “Self-reliance begins when we share what we know and use what we have. Together, we can transform communities from the ground up. With an unemployment rate of about 33,2%, and 40,1% of the population on social grants, the Learning Festival is a contribution towards helping individuals and communities make a shift from charity and unemployment to taking responsibility for their own sustainable livelihoods.”

“Self-reliance refers to the ability to depend on oneself for support and fulfilment, without relying on others. It involves acquiring knowledge and skills to access and use resources to make a living. On the other hand, self-sufficiency refers to the ability to meet one's own needs without external assistance. It involves the ability to provide for oneself in terms of food, shelter, and other necessities.”

From worm farming to furniture making, steel manufacturing, food security, herbal and cosmetic manufacturing, and even a Mend-a-Thon, participants gained hands-on experience in turning everyday resources into opportunities.

 

A celebration of practical learning

The line-up of workshops and demonstrations showed just how many ways there are to make the most of what we have. The ACCESS UFS student organisation led sessions on Worm Farming and Eco-Vernacular Architecture, teaching participants how to build with eco-bricks and run small-scale worm farms as income-generating projects.

Golukisa Trading Construction hosted a Furniture Manufacturing workshop, equipping local artisans with carpentry skills. These skills have already sparked success stories, such as that of Katlego Mpoihi, who launched his business after attending a previous learning festival.

Benjamin Nhlapo from Seotlong Agriculture and Hotel School in Phuthaditjhaba trained attendees about poultry farming, while Jurie Nel from JG Electronics introduced participants to printing, needlework, and bag manufacturing. Using state-of-the-art, yet affordable equipment, participants learned how to start small businesses through creative printing and design, inspiring a new generation of social entrepreneurs.

Thomas Tsintsing from The Engineered Movement shared skills on how to design and manufacture metal products, including fireplaces.

Another highlight was the Mend-a-Thon, facilitated by Doretha Jacobs from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development and supported by ACCESS students. This session taught hand needlework, crochet, and denim repair, breathing new life into old clothes and celebrating the joy of making something by hand. Participants beamed with pride, many saying, “I can’t believe it. I made this myself!”

 

Innovation and inspiration

From presentations to hands-on demonstrations, the festival was full of fresh ideas and practical inspiration. Willem Ellis, Research Associate in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, explored how social innovation fuels community transformation through empathy, creativity, and collaboration. Matseliso Achilonu from Devoni Natural shared how herbs can be turned into market-ready cosmetics, proving that nature and business can grow hand in hand.

Nutrition also took centre stage, with Ermi Spies from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics highlighting the important link between well-being and sustainable living. Honours students from the Department of Psychology presented their Well-being in Action infographics, promoting mental and social wellness in community spaces.

Thabo Olivier of Let’s Grow Food © captivated audiences with practical sessions on establishing sustainable food security through self-reliance, showing how small backyard gardens can feed families and help communities thrive together. Robert Mitchell, founder of Robs Handyman Services, demonstrated how wooden pallets can be repurposed into creative, sellable products – an inspiring example of social entrepreneurship in action.

The festival also featured exhibits such as Daniel Moloi’s Agape Foundation stall, showcasing the health benefits of rosehip juice, and the Itemoheleng Soy Project from Qwaqwa, which demonstrated soy-based food products for better nutrition. Meanwhile, the UFS Library Makerspace wowed visitors with robotics and creative design tools, inspiring a new wave of innovation.

And just when visitors thought they had seen it all, creativity took another turn. The stall of Corne Thomas from Puzzles of Impact showed how developing practical and life skills can help people find purpose and belonging by repurposing old videotapes into crochet items as a creative example.

The 2025 festival introduced a more interactive format than previous years, with more parallel workshops and matchmaking sessions between government departments, communities, and organisations. It was in these conversations and hands-on moments that the true impact of the festival came to life. One participant summed up the impact beautifully: “I have learned that my skills as a public speaker will change: from now on, my ‘voice’ will have an ‘invoice’.”

 

Empowering communities through knowledge and practical skills

Dr Karen Venter, Assistant Director and Head of Service Learning, added that the festival aligns with the broader goals of the Directorate for Community Engagement: “It perfectly mirrors the directorate’s mission to promote engaged scholarship and collaborative community development. By connecting the university’s academic expertise with local community needs, it fosters innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable impact, embodying the UFS’ commitment to social responsibility and partnership building.”

According to Dr Venter, the event left a lasting impact on participants and their communities. “Attendees left equipped – not just with new skills, but also with partnerships, ideas, and confidence to implement self-sustaining initiatives in their communities for socially responsible futures,” she says.

News Archive

Conference: Expanded ARV treatment
2005-03-02

VENUE: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
DATE: 30 March 2005 - 1 April 2005

  • ARV Programme as on 24Feb Download Word document
     
  • Programme Special events Download Word document


    Official web site www.fshealth.gov.za/subsites/arvc

     


    Rationale for the Conference
    At the time of the planned Conference, much ground would have been covered, both in the Free State and in South Africa, in respect of the expanded public sector ARV treatment programme in respect of research, experiences in practice, training of staff, treatment of patients, lessons learned, successes and failures, etc. The time would then be quite opportune to share these in a systematic manner with other provinces and countries, as well as with the large variety of stakeholders and role players in the ARV and related domains, be they academics and researchers, policy makers and service/facility managers, the variety of caregivers, and the community organisations and affected patients.

The Conference and current research
The proposed Conference is, firstly, directly linked to the current research on the public sector roll-out of ARV treatment in the Free State conducted by several research institutions (e.g. CIET, CHSR&D, UCT Lung Institute). Secondly, the Conference could and would serve as a forum for other research groups in the country and further a field to report and share knowledge and experiences on ARV treatment and related initiatives. Lastly, the Conference will stage a golden opportunity for researchers and scientists, on the one hand, and policy makers, managers, and caregivers (as knowledge users), on the other hand, to engage in cross-disciplinary discourse on this mutual and topical theme.

Theme of Conference
Expanded ARV treatment in the Free State: sharing experiences

Focus
The focus is primarily on public sector ARV treatment in the Free State, but also initiatives/activities/perspectives of relevance to the Free State elsewhere in the country at large and further a field, as well as relevant ARV initiatives in the public, private, NGO and FBO sectors. Bear in mind, however, that ARV treatment is but part of a much more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS. The Conference will, therefore, not narrowly focus on the ARV treatment programme only. The broader context, other relevant dimensions, and a comprehensive approach to the challenges of HIV, AIDS and TB are of equal importance.

The purpose of the Conference
Enhance meaningful exchange, mutual understanding and collaboration among researchers, scientists, policy makers, managers and practitioners in the field of ARV treatment and related fields.

Share experiences in the various spheres of ARV treatment and related spheres (policy, management, practice, research, training, public-private-civil society sectors).

Record, reflect and report on the establishment of the ARV treatment programme in the Free State, and in within the context of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme.

Disseminate important research results on ARV treatment and related themes to health policy makers, managers, practitioners, communities and to the research community.

Stimulate discourse among various disciplines and various stakeholders/role players involved in ARV treatment and related programmes.

Sensitise and acquaint researchers to the requirements of policy makers, managers and practitioners in respect of ARV treatment and related fields.

Facilitate the implementation of research results in ARV treatment policy, programmes and practice.

Dissemination of Conference-related information
Information generated during the Conference could feed into policy, management and practice of ARV treatment, the training accompanying such programme, and the existing body of knowledge. After the Conference the information will be disseminated via the Internet and by scientific and popular publications.

Date and duration
Set for 30 & 31 March & 1 April 2005; to commence at 09:00 on the first day (30 March) and to end at 16:30 (1 April) the third day.

Format and scope of Conference
Alternating plenary, parallel sessions and debates focused on topical issues and interest groups. The Conference will strive to be maximally interactive and participative.

Themes and topics to cover:

  • Policy, management and health services/practice (various levels and contexts – clinical treatment, information, IT systems, pharmacy, laboratories, nutrition)
     
  • Research covering all relevant disciplines and diverse dimensions of ARV treatment and related themes
  • Training and evaluation of training
  • Patients, communities and civil society organisations
  • Public, private, NGO, FBO initiatives and partnerships

Emphasis will be on the Free State, however, with of significant involvement from other provinces, SADC countries, and countries further a field. The thrust will be to export lessons and experiences from the Free State, but also to import lessons and experiences from other provinces, countries and sectors.

Presenters
Key presenters from the Free State, other provinces, South Africa, from the private, FBO and NGO sectors, and from several other countries

Delegates
About half of the delegates will be Free State stakeholders and role players (all levels and all contexts). The other half will be role players and stakeholders in the ARV and related fields from other provinces, the national level, and other countries, as well as from the private, public and non-governmental sectors.

Focused workshops
Provision will be made for half-a-day or one-day workshop initiatives on the third day (1 April 2005).

Enquiries
For more information please contact:

Prof Dingie van Rensburg
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloenfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
9300

Contact:
Carin van Vuuren
Conference Organiser
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
P.O.Box 339
Bloemfontein
South Africa
9300
Tel +27 (0) 51 401 2181
Fax +27 (0) 51 4480370
Cell 0832932890
e-mail: arvconference.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept