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24 July 2024 | Story Lacea Loader

The University of the Free State (UFS) is co-hosting the Global Social Innovation Indaba together with Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) on its Bloemfontein Campus from 30 September to 2 October 2024. This event brings together people from different sectors all over the world to discuss how to accelerate and support people-powered change and create a better society for generations to come.

The UFS is excited to collaborate with SIX, as its vision and values overlap. During this three-day indaba, aspects such as – what it takes to build accountable, inclusive, and participatory institutions, specifically the future role of universities in South Africa – will be discussed. Themes to be explored include young people as drivers of change, post-industrial transitions and community resilience, the role of art, social change and bridging divides, and systemic approaches to dealing with unemployment.

Some of the speakers and participants in the programme include Carla Duprat from ICE (Brazil); Cheryl Jacob from ESquared Investments (South Africa); François Bonnici from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Switzerland); Sir Geoff Mulgan from the University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom; and Dr Narissa Ramdhani from the Ifa Lethu Foundation (South Africa).

The UFS will also use the opportunity to showcase its campus and offerings to attendees, focusing on its transformation story and some of the interdisciplinary forward-thinking programmes. Guests will also be treated to true South African hospitality, laying the foundation for strong relationships and collaboration.

SIX believes in the transformative power of people working together. Exchanges based on mutual value and reciprocity are the missing link in tackling the world’s problems. As a friendly, expert entry point to global social innovation, their work connects organisations, sectors, communities, and nations to build capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration. 

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A new society on Kovsie grounds
2013-06-06

ESA members outside the Faculty of Education. From left: SentshoTseki, KabeloNoosi, RefilweMabengu and SemakaleMoiloa.
Photo: Linda Fekisi
6 June 2013

The Education Student Association (ESA) is the latest addition to the associations on the Bloemfontein Campus. ESA is made up of 12 executive members who have a portfolio in the Faculty of Education’s governance structure. They serve as a voice to 1 600 students in this faculty.

Chairperson, SentshoTseki, describes ESA as “new, fresh and out there. We are here for students and we want to build a structure that is recognisable. Our goal is to facilitate students’ participation in programmatic and faculty-wide feedback. We also want to represent the students in management and governance structures.”

With just a few weeks since its establishment, the association has been involved in a community project in Ladybrand. “Community engagement with the schools around the Free State area lies at the heart of our association. We went to Ladybrand to motivate learners and also give them necessary information about university,“ Tseki added.

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