University of the Free State: Recent Episodes
University of the Free State
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The Faculty of the Humanities hosted a round-table dialogue on ‘Humanistic Perspectives on Student Protests in South Africa’, an important discussion on a matter that is currently in the spotlight at the UFS and other institutions nationally.
The dialogue aims to discuss ‘humanistic perspectives' on student protests and includes, among others, the following topics:
- Dynamics of student protests.
- The relationship between politics and protests.
- Why protests are a challenge for the higher education sector.
- Possible responses to protests by universities.
About the webinar topic
With daily vaccine rates dropping, it is likely that we will have to wait until 2022 to see a significant proportion of South Africans vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity. This means that significant health risks and pressures will continue lurking for the next two years, which does not bode well for the overall economy, compounded by social pressures. As we approach the end of 2021, we reflect on the year that is almost over, and look ahead to what 2022 may bring politically, economically, and socially – where do we see ourselves in the coming year? These are some of the issues that will be discussed in the webinar.
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Louzanne Coetzee (born 18 April 1993) is a South African para-athlete. Coetzee was born blind as a result of a hereditary condition called Leber congenital amaurosis and competes in the T11 disability class, for athletes with the highest level of visual impairment. In 2018, Coetzee broke the 5000 m (women) world record in her disability class whilst in the same year she became the first visually impaired athlete to compete at the World University Cross Country Championships in Switzerland.
Coetzee competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics representing South Africa in the Women's 1500 metres. She was, however, disqualified when her guide, Khotatso Mokone, was deemed to have provided illegal assistance.
In 2021, Coetzee competed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, winning the silver medal in the 1500 m final in a new Africa record of 4:40.96 alongside her guide Erasmus Badenhorst, and the bronze medal in the T12 women's marathon, with guide Claus Kempen, in a new T11 world record time of 3:11:13.
Besides running she enjoys baking, watching movies, walking and hiking, cycling and has recently taken up some artistic hobbies as well. She is fun-loving and laughs and talks easily.
Prof. Jeandrew Brink completed her Bachelor of Sciences degree at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1998 and subsequently a Honours (1999) and Master’s degree (2000) in Applied Mathematics also at UFS.
A Fulbright Travel Grant and a two-year research fellowship from Cornell University permitted her to perform work toward a PhD in theoretical physics in the United States. Her thesis explored the pulsation modes of neutron stars.
A number of surveys have found some degree of vaccine hesitancy among the public. This webinar will clarify why we need to vaccinate against COVID-19 and why vaccines are safe. A major development in the COVID-19 pandemic has been the arrival and distribution of safe and effective vaccines. As the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 spreads around the world, the vaccine has proven to be safe and effective enough to prevent severe life-threatening COVID-19 complications. Although vaccines do not fully protect everyone who is vaccinated, nor guarantee zero transmission, a great deal of adherence to other measures is still required. Returning to a new normal routine of life can only happen as more people are vaccinated.
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David Uwah is the founder and director of Zenncon Facility Management. A prominent businessman in South Africa and the greater part of Africa, Uwah is a consummate professional with strong business development skills, particularly in management, strategic planning, and marketing strategy. Uwah has successfully established Zenncon Facility Management to become an industry leader in South Africa.
A former chairman of Black Management Forum in the Free State, Uwah began his career at Firenze Consulting in London, UK. Uwah proceeded to Liberty Life as a financial adviser, followed by Cafenet Computers as director, and later became director of Brand New Afrika. He is also director of Zennfika Sahara Pty Ltd and is currently Chairman of the group of companies ZNND Group Pty Ltd.
Uwah is a strong business development professional with a master’s degree focused on Disaster Management from the University of the Free State.
For further information regarding the podcast series, or to propose other alumni guests, please email us at alumnipodcast@ufs.ac.za
For all Voices from the Free State podcasts, go to https://www.ufs.ac.za/alumni/alumni-home/alumni-news/alumni-podcasts
What South Africa will look like after the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, is yet unknown. As the country is attempting to normalise while tallying the human, political, and economic cost of the riots – what we know for sure is that the events of the past few weeks have dispelled the impression of South Africa as exceptional, with a triumphant future.
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The Department of Social Work at the UFS together with the Zola Skweyiya African Social Policy Innovation (ZSASPI) at the University of Cape Town hosted a colloquium with other social sciences academics on the culture of waton violence during protests in South Africa. The keynote speaker was Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development.
Rather want to watch the video? Click here.
In this special Women’s Month edition of the Voices of the Free State podcast series, we elevate and celebrate our female voices.
Likeleli Monyamane takes us through her journey as a student at the UFS. Founder of Inspire Innovation Business Consultants, Likeleli is a chartered accountant based in Lesotho, with a deep passion for skills development and mentorship.
A passion for evidence-based medicine and the notion of value in healthcare is what drives Dr Anchen Laubscher. Anchen is driven to ensure that healthcare is scientifically proven, of high quality, cost effective, and tailored to a patient’s needs.
Karla’s story is one of determination, and her success is the result of two decades of hard work. Although netball is not a professional sport in South Africa and athletes don’t get paid for it – quitting was never an option for Karla Pretorius.
Enjoy these inspiring stories as we celebrate our female voices from the Voices from the Free State podcast series.
The Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State cordially invites you to a discussion by Helen Zille, Chairperson of the DA’s Federal Council, on her latest book #StayWoke, Go Broke: Why South Africa won’t survive America’s culture wars (and what you can do about it).
ARU pioneering mountain range-expanding project
Little research has been conducted towards understanding long-term species redistribution and the effects of global change on biodiversity. The Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) on the Qwaqwa Campus – as part of the Mountain Invasion Research Network – has secured a two-year EU Horizon 2020 project under the Department of Science and Innovation, which will be looking at the mechanisms underlying the success and impact of range-expanding species on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
READ: https://bit.ly/3xfNY9z
UFSresearch | #biodiversity | #globalchange | #ecosystem | #globalwarming | #mountains
The UFS hosted a webinar on South African politics and the local government elections with Mr Ebrahim Fakir, Dr Susan Booysen and Prof Sethulego Matebesi. Prof Francis Petersen was the facilitator
Karla’s story is one of determination, and her success is the result of two decades of hard work. Although netball is not a professional sport in South Africa and athletes don’t get paid for it – quitting was never an option for Karla Pretorius, our guest in the sixth episode of the Voices from the Free State podcast. Read more
A passion for evidence-based medicine and the notion of value in healthcare is what drives Dr Anchen Laubscher, our guest in the fifth episode of the Voices from the Free State podcast. Anchen is driven to ensure that healthcare is scientifically proven, of high quality, cost-effective, and tailored to a patient’s needs.
François van Schalkwyk and Keenan Carelse, UFS alumni leading the university’s United Kingdom Alumni Chapter, have put their voices together to produce and direct the podcast series. Intended to reconnect alumni with the university and their university experience, the podcasts will be featured on the first Monday of every month, ending in November 2021. Our featured alumni share and reflect on their experiences at the UFS, how it has shaped their lives, and relate why their ongoing association with the UFS is still relevant and important. The podcasts are authentic conversations – they provide an opportunity for the university to understand and learn about the experiences of its alumni and to celebrate the diversity and touchpoints that unite them.
University of the Free State alumni have an impact on a diverse range of fields, locally and internationally. They are sought after in private and public companies, leading and working in some of the top companies and organisations. One such individual is Frikkie Meintjes, Head of Global HR at Greenpeace Read more
Jamba Isaac Ulengo, our guest in the third episode of the Voices of the Free State podcast series is a South African rugby union player who proudly joined his team in bringing home a gold medal at the 2013 World Games. Read more
We are pleased to host Bertus Jacobs in our second episode of the Voices of the Free State podcast series. As Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt. (Internet of Things), Bertus’ mind is constantly searching for new techniques, and imparting these to his team of developers. Read more
In our first episode of the Voices of the Free State podcast series, Likeleli Monyamane takes us through her journey as a student at the UFS. Founder of Inspire Innovation Business Consultants, Likeleli is a chartered accountant based in Lesotho, with a deep passion for skills development and mentorship. Read more