Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
24 October 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe | Photo Supplied
Residence Committee
From left: Nhlanhla Simelane, outgoing Prime of House Imperium and incoming Prime of Primes for West College; Matiya Mokhoyoa, outgoing Vice-Prime and incoming Prime of Vishuis; Morongoa Tlhoaele, outgoing Vice-Prime of House Imperium and incoming Prime of House Imperium; and Genius Bhila, outgoing Prime of House Imperium. The group participated in the 2024/25 Year-End Conversation talks, reflecting on a year of service, growth, and sustainable impact within the student community.

As the 2024/25 Residence Committees conclude their term, the annual Year-End Conversation talks, hosted by the Department of Housing and Residence Affairs, provided a platform for reflection, recognition, and renewal. The discussions captured the essence of student leadership at the University of the Free State (UFS): a commitment to service, growth, and lasting societal impact.

According to Dr Nokuthula Tlalajoe-Mokhatla, Academic Head and Senior Lecturer in the Division of Student Learning and Development, and Faculty Coordinator for the Faculty Student Council, the year has been one defined by meaningful collaboration. “The best thing that happened this year was when the leadership of House Abraham Fischer-Boetapele extended goodwill to the leadership of House Imperium through intentional outreaches and collaborations,” she shared. “It was a beautiful relationship that words cannot even begin to explain.”

 

Building impact through collaboration

The partnership between the two residences exemplifies the spirit of cooperation that underpins student leadership at the UFS. Their initiatives included impactful community projects, such as hosting cooking demonstrations to create awareness around high salt intake and engaging in plans to host a fun run promoting prostate cancer awareness.

“These projects go beyond fulfilling excellence criteria,” Dr Tlalajoe-Mokhatla explained. “They speak to taking up a responsibility that is bigger than us. Their impact is worth pursuing because they foster a sense of community not only among students but also within society.”

The projects reflect the UFS’s commitment to engaged scholarship, where learning transcends the classroom and contributes to real-world change.

 

Sustainability and long-term vision

To ensure sustainability, the residences have established collaborations with Prof Matthew Benedict from the Department of Family Medicine and Dr Lucia Meko, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, who both play vital roles in strengthening the continuity of these health-focused initiatives.

Dr Tlalajoe-Mokhatla also highlighted the valuable contribution of Benedict Mochesela, Residence Head of the Vishuis Residence Council (RC) team. “Credit should be given to Mochesela, as all of the work by the Vishuis RC team happened under his guidance,” she said. “The legacy projects serve as a foundation for continuity. By expanding our partnerships, we ensure that these initiatives grow on a larger scale and remain relevant.”

 

Leadership and lifelong learning

Reflecting on the personal and professional growth of residence leaders, Dr Tlalajoe-Mokhatla highlighted communication, teamwork, and time management as the most notable developments. “Leadership goes beyond showing up for the job you are assigned to do,” she said. “It is a platform to showcase passion, engage communities, and contribute meaningfully to society.”

As new residence councils prepare to take up the mantle, her message is one of openness and adaptability. “Being rigid in your way of doing things stunts growth,” she concluded. “Through collaboration, agility, and kindness, anything is possible.”

News Archive

Inaugural lecture focuses on intercultural communication
2005-03-15

Prof Johann de Wet, chairperson of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies, will deliver his inaugural lecture on Wednesday 16 March 2005 at 19:00 in the CR Swart Auditorium on campus.

The topic of the presentation is Meeting on the “narrow ridge” in intercultural communication.

Prof de Wet obtained the BA degree in 1977 at from the University of Cape Town, in 1982 an honors degree cum laude in Journalism from the University of  Stellenbosch, in 1985 an MA degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and in 1987 the D Litt Et Phil, also from UNISA.

His earlier professional life included being a diplomat stationed in Washington DC, and a SABC journalist.

Prof de Wet’s first stint in the academe was at UNISA (1983-1993) and the UFS (1993-1995).  He was an associate professor at both institutions.  Before returning to the UFS in 2001, Prof de Wet was director of communication in the public service, ministerial spokesperson at national and provincial levels, contributing editor of the Cape Argus, and communication consultant for various public and private sector institutions.

In his academic career of 16 years, Prof de Wet has authored/edited 12 scholarly books.  His other research outputs include some 20 accredited articles and scientific papers (national and international) respectively.  Much of his research has focused on persuasive and political communication, journalism and general communication theory. 

He is the founding and current editor of Communitas, a nationally-accredited academic journal on community communication and information impact.  He was appointed professor and chairperson of the Department of Communication and Information Studies at the UFS in January 2004.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2005

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