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 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

Forensic investigation at UFS Computer Services division in final stage of finalisation
2007-02-01

Statement by prof Niel Viljoen, Chief Director: Operations  
 
The case in which possible irregularities were investigated at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Computer Services Division at the end of 2005, and which led to two Deputy Directors’ compulsory leave pending an investigation, is making good progress and is in the final stage of finalisation.
 
One of the Deputy Directors resigned unconditionally a day before his disciplinary hearing was to take place. He is one of two staff members who were placed on compulsory leave after an internal investigation ordered by the UFS management indicated possible irregularities in the division.
 
“As a result of the extent of the case and the involvement of more than one local business, the investigation had a long course,” said Prof Viljoen.
 
“The Deputy Director who resigned would have appeared before a disciplinary committee with Judge Joos Hefer as chairperson on charges of misconduct, involving more than R500 000,” said Prof Viljoen.
 
“We are going ahead with the process of criminal prosecution against this person and a docket was opened at the commerce branch of the South African Police Services (SAPS).  A civil action to recover damages from him was started,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
With a couple of exceptions, the internal disciplinary process of the other persons involved in the case is also finalised. “The disciplinary hearing of the Deputy Director, who is still in the service of the UFS’s Computer Services division, is scheduled for May 2007. This person is still on compulsory leave,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
“To demonstrate our commitment to the enhancement of honest work ethics and to give to personnel and students a mechanism to bring any unethical business practices to the attention of the UFS management, a fraud hotline was installed last year. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year by KPMG,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
Prof Viljoen thanked everyone who was involved in the investigation for their cooperation. This includes staff as well as people from outside the UFS.  “We are committed to transparent corporate management. Any possible irregularities will be investigated and if staff or students are found guilty of any irregular behaviour, strict actions would be taken against these persons,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@mail.ufs.ac.za
2 February 2007
 

 

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