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Celebrating excellence on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus

15 September 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

Qwaqwa Dux — Prof Prince Ngubeni, Campus Principal; Dux Award winner, Tshepiso Mabitsela; and Prof Cias Tsotetsi, Vice-Principal: Academic and Research

The University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus recently hosted its annual Student Excellence Awards, a prestigious event dedicated to honouring the remarkable accomplishments of its students. The ceremony, held in the Mandela Hall, brought together students, academic staff, and university leadership to celebrate the collective strength and individual achievements of Qwaqwa Campus students.

The 2025 Student Excellence Awards showcased the dedication, talent, and resilience of the UFS student body. As the university continues to provide a nurturing environment for academic and personal growth, these students stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and the promise of a brighter future.

A celebration of perseverance

Prof Prince Ngobeni, Campus Principal, warmly welcomed guests and praised the students for their hard work and dedication. In his address, he highlighted the students’ outstanding achievements.

“This ceremony is not just about handing out awards; it is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and resilience,” Prof Ngobeni said. “It is a recognition of the countless hours spent in libraries, the late nights fuelled by coffee, and the moments of doubt that you overcame with sheer determination. Today, we celebrate not just the achievements of a select few, but the collective spirit of excellence that defines our campus.”

Insights from a valued alumnus

Dr Peter Moopi, a distinguished UFS alumnus, served as guest speaker. Dr Moopi’s journey with the university began in 2016 when he enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to complete his Master of Arts in 2021 and his Doctor of Philosophy in English in 2025.

In his speech, Dr Moopi spoke about the concepts of ‘improvise, adapt, and overcome’, which he described as central to his experience at the UFS. “As we know that many of us come from difficult backgrounds, we always wish that there was more,” he said, inspiring students to find strength and resilience in their personal stories.

Twin triumphs and a Dux winner’s story

Among the celebrated students were identical twins Nthabeleng and Nthabiseng Mofokeng, both pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geography. The twins, who received awards for achieving the same aggregate score, credited their success to teamwork, discipline, and a shared faith.

When asked about their unique academic journey, they explained, “We believe our secret is teamwork, discipline, and God’s grace. As twins, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so we complement one another perfectly.” They described their study sessions as collaborative and engaging, often turning learning into games and quizzes to make it more enjoyable.

The Dux Award winner, Tshepiso Mabitsela – a student in the Faculty of Education – shared a deeply personal and emotional reflection on her achievement. She described the moment her name was announced as a dream she never thought possible.

“I could not believe what was happening at that moment, and tears of joy welled up in my eyes,” she said. Tshepiso spoke movingly about her family, particularly her mother – a domestic worker – and her physically unwell grandmother. “This award is not just a recognition of my work but also goes to them as a way of showing that their sacrifices and support were a driving factor behind my studies,” she stated.

Mabitsela said she is the only hope and the first child to go to university in the family, so she had to make it for them. She is truly humbled to have received this award – her mother was also emotional when she called to tell them the good news. Therefore, this award is not just hers, but it is also theirs.” The fact that I am my family's last hope kept me going, hence I did not give up during my challenging journey. Therefore, when I received my results, it was a culmination of my expectations. I just could not believe that I could be the top learner on the whole campus and not just in my class. I am still in shock and tears roll out of my eyes every time I think about it.”

Words of wisdom from a social progress pioneer

The event also featured a poignant address by Nobomi Duma, a dedicated social progress pioneer and UFS alumna. Living with dystonic cerebral palsy and polymyoclonus, Duma's journey is a testament to resilience. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree and serves as an assistant community development practitioner.

In her powerful message, Duma urged students to find peace and closure for themselves, even in the absence of an apology. “As people living with disabilities, we go through so many challenges ... accept the apology you never got.”

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New SRC: Records of support and a victory for women

2014-09-04

Ms Mosa Leteane and Ms Louzanne Coetzee
Photo: Johan Roux

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While campuses across South Africa regularly report falling voter turnout in campus elections of student representatives, the University of the Free State, in its recently completed SRC elections, registered record levels of support across our campuses with a total voter turnout of 44%. At the Bloemfontein Campus 34,4% of students voted (5052 votes) and 53,3% (1583 votes) at the Qwaqwa Campus.

Also, for the first time under the new SRC constitution, students elected a woman to lead the student body – Ms Mosa Leteane was elected as President. Another first was the election of a blind woman to the SRC – Ms Louzanne Coetzee. She will be responsible for student accessibility of our Bloemfontein SRC. This marks a victory for women in student governance.

Mr Tulasizwe Sithole was elected as the President of the SRC at our Qwaqwa Campus.

The election of Ms Leteane as President underscores the progress achieved for gender equality with near half of her SRC consisting of women (48%).

These successes are all the more significant, since this is the 4th year of elections under newly adopted SRC constitutions that allow for broader participation of diverse student constituencies in student governance.

This means that the crucial 3-year mark to test a new approach and method in governance and elections was not only successfully reached, but also in its 4th year shows the constitution as one that sustains its impact to deepen democracy and citizenship among our 30,000-strong student body.

“The results of the SRC elections across campuses show that our students are not only ready to lead our campus communities on issues relating to justice, freedom and democracy beyond our societal legacies of race and gender, but do so also for the student movement nationally. We’re immensely proud of our students, who show courage and resilience to choose leaders not for expediency, but for significance, and to lead not for some, but for all”, the Dean of Student Affairs, Rudi Buys, said.

The Qwaqwa SRC was installed on 2 September 2014, while the Bloemfontein SRC will be installed on 5 September. The Central SRC will be established on 14 September by joint sitting of the two SRCs.

The SRC members 2014/15 at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses are as follows:

Bloemfontein Elective portfolios:
President: Ms Mosa Leteane
Vice Pres: Mr Waldo Staude
Secretary: Ms Dineo Motaung
Treasurer: Ms Maphenye Maditsi
Arts & Culture: Mr Stefan van der Westhuizen
Accessibility & Student Support: Ms Louzanne Coetzee
First Generation Students: Ms Mpho Khati
Media, Marketing & Liaison: Ms Lethabo Maebana
Legal & Constitutional Affairs: Mr Lindokuhle Ntuli
Sport: Ms Dominique de Gouveia
Student development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Victor Ngubeni
Transformation: Mr Tumelo Rapitsi

Bloemfontein Ex officio Portfolios
Dialogue & Ex officio: Associations Student Council: Mr Piet Thibane
Academic Affairs & Ex officio: Academic Affairs Student Council: Mr Jonathan Ruwanika
Residence Affairs & Ex officio: Campus Residences Student Council: Ms Melissa Taljaard
City student Affairs & Ex officio: Commuter Student Council: Ms Kerry-Beth Berry
Post graduate Affairs & Ex officio: Post Graduate Student Council: Ms Masabata Mokgesi
International Affairs & Ex officio: International Student Council: Mr Makate Maieane
Student Media Affairs & Ex officio: Student Media Council: Mr Samuel Phuti
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Fundraising Council: Mr Johan du Plessis
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Community Service Council: Mr Manfred Titus

Qwaqwa Elective portfolios:
President General: Mr Thulasizwe Sithole
Deputy President: Ms Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary General: Mr Vukani Ntuli
Treasurer General: Mr Langelihle Mbense
Media & Publicity: Ms Nongcebo Qwabe
Politics & Transformation: Ms Nkosiphile Zwane

Qwaqwa Ex officio Portfolios
Student Development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Ndumiso Memela
Academic Affairs: Mr Simon Mofekeng
Arts & Cultural Affairs: Ms Samkelo Mtshali
Off-Campus Students: Mr Khanyisani Mbatha
RAG, Community Service & Dialogue: Mr Njabulo Mabaso
Religious Affairs: Mr Mfundo Nxumalo
Residence & Catering Affairs: Ms Ntombifuthi Radebe
Sports Council: Mr Luvuno

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