Free State University hosts its first women conference

By: Linda Fekisi

The CRS Auditorium was the venue this Saturday where the Free State University held its inaugural women’s conference. Celebrating women within our vicinity became the first theme of the event. It is an initiative by the SRC Ladies Internal Liaison. It came about after realising the need to nurture the minds and souls of female students. Invitations to the event went to first year students from the universities ten female hostels, female students from communes, in student associations, 10 SRC members, Executive Committees of the SRC members and all female students in our campus and female students within Bloemfontein. Grade 10 female students from Kopanong Senior Secondary School attended. According to the ladies the aim of the conference was to nurture, inform and motivate women within. Moreover to provide insight on possible challenges, triumphs and experiences they will most likely encounter as aspiring business women. Guest speakers of the event were Catherine Glennie, Xandria Cameron, Lesego Shuping, Mosisi Modise and Nosana Sondiyazi.

Central University of Technology SRC elections 2010

Photo by: Lehlohonolo Tau, In Photo : CUT students  participating at the elections

Central University of Technology began their annual SRC elections earlier this week. Political parties present shared their views regarding the elections and party manifestos. Each party identified problems they felt needed to be addressed. Mutual problems identified by Azasko and Sasco are amongst others racism, the campus library operating hours and unavailability of prescribed textbooks in the library. Moreover both parties stressed the issue of under qualified and part time lectures within the institution. When the election results were announced it was Sasco that received the most votes. The party will hold 11 seats on the SRC body in the Bloemfontein campus and none in the Welkom campus. Azasko on the other hand will hold 3 seats in the Bloemfontein campus and 8 in Welkom.

The first F1 Programme

By Alzane Narrain

71 First year students will travel to the United States of America as part of the Free State university programme. This group of students will depart on September 22 and will spend two weeks in various American Universities. The aim of this programme is to teach first year students leadership skills.


“We understand that we actually need to have broader programmes, to ensure that when first years begin their studies, they already access opportunities to develop as leaders, and that’s where this new programme comes from” said Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS.

These students will be involved in student-life programmes on campus, upon their return. They will also be expected to establish volunteer programmes alongside the Bower Bup Programme. The Bower Bup Programme is similar to the F1 Programme, but is centred on programmes in Bloemfontein.

Church members march outside Free State University

Lehlohonolo Tau

A march took place outside Free State University earlier yesterday. Church members had come to voice their displeasure about the issue of discrimination and related intolerances in the University. The President of the National Council of Churches says, the Rector Jonathan Jansen bites freedom and gives refuge to segregation. He also says the VF plus and the DA are the mouth piece of top management. He has urged the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande to intervene.

Faculty of Theology holds a special lunch at Free State University

The faculty of theology at Free State University held a lunch lecture addressing racism. The chairperson of the event says they are aiming at tackling social issues like racism. Werner Schimdt, the guest speaker, says there are risks in engaging in anti-racism and disengaging racism. One of the students at the Free State University says they have learned that they can out grow racism and work with other students from different races.

The sod turning ceremony for the building of the new Clinical Skills Centre of the School for Allied

The sod turning ceremony for the building of the new Clinical Skills Centre of the School for Allied Health Professions at the University of the Free State has been officially announced. The project is the original initiative of Dr Santie van Vuuren, Head of the School, and is focused on presenting undergraduate students in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nutrition Dietetics and Optometry. The new building will include three skills venues, as well as a computer laboratory. It is aimed that the building will be completed by late next year.

News training

To all journalists and newsreaders: Please do not forget the training on  saturday. It will be taking place in the SRC Hall. I have to emphasise the fact that failure to attend will constitute to your removal from office. The only person who has excused herself is Alzane since her date of eye-checkup will be the same day and unfoturnately, she cannot reschedule.