“May you experience a great sense of achievement, knowing that you have had an exceptional and enriching time at Kovsies. You may have felt robbed of so many things – but you were also blessed in ways that you might only realise later in life … I wish you well in your career and with your future endeavours,” said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), to graduates during the virtual graduation ceremonies that took place from 19 to 22 April 2021.

The UFS conferred almost 8 000 qualifications upon the Class of 2020.

Students who completed their undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at the end of the 2020 academic year in the faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, the Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Theology and Religion, were virtually celebrated for their hard work and academic excellence across all UFS campuses.

In addition to this, three honorary doctorates were awarded to Dr Dolf van Niekerk, Dr Sipho Pityana, and Dr Zak Yacoob, recognising and commemorating their exceptional contributions to society, or lifetime achievements in their field.

Dr Dolf van Niekerk, who received a Doctor of Letters (DLitt (h.c.)) from the UFS on 19 April 2021, is an award-winning short-story writer, novelist, and poet. Dr Sipho Pityana, who is an acclaimed business leader and has served in an executive capacity on several local and international boards and blue-chip companies, received a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil (h.c.)) from the UFS on 21 April 2021.

Dr Zak Yacoob, who received his Doctor of Laws (LLD (h.c.)) from the UFS on 22 April 2021, is well-known for his contribution to the socio-economic rights jurisprudence of South Africa. He was a member of the Fundamental Rights Committee that helped with the preparation of the Bill of Rights in South Africa’s interim Constitution, of the Independent Electoral Commission responsible for ensuring that the first democratic elections in 1994 were free and fair, and of the panel of experts appointed by the Constitutional Assembly to advise during negotiations on and the drafting of the final Constitution.

Kovsies, their families, peers, and other community members have had social media buzzing with congratulatory photos and messages on their personal Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages, using the hashtags #UFSGraduation2021 and #UFSVirtualGraduation.

Click here for more interesting April graduation news. – Xolisa Mnukwa Photo: Supplied
 

Sometimes, when we are battling different challenges, we are not aware of when and how we were injured, and that we got knocked down. At times, these scars and bruises affect us more than we are aware of, which could impact our daily functioning. Depression can be the result of some of these emotional cuts, injuries, or scars.

Emotions are significant in how we experience and make sense of life. Sadness, like all emotions, plays a crucial role. Its primary function is to alert us or others that we require consolation or time to recoup.

If the sadness starts to significantly impact your daily functioning and other areas of your life, this is where the clinical term ‘depression’ can be considered. This state does not only affect a person's emotional state; it also affects their mental and physical states.

If you feel weak or broken, are experiencing suicidal ideations, or are suffering from a mental illness – know that what you may consider as a crack or flaw, is what makes you unique.

Emotional well-being
A warrior who is aware of their emotions and can understand and manage their feelings, is a warrior not easily shaken. While experiencing depression or suicidal ideations, it may seem/feel impossible to overcome this state. By engaging in mindfulness and allowing ourselves to locate our emotions, it becomes easier to manage our emotional experiences.

Professional assistance
It's okay to allow others to help you readjust your armour; it's okay to ask for help when it's too hard to manage the depression and suicidal ideations on your own. You can seek professional support to fight the depression and survive the suicidal ideations by seeing a psychologist or a counsellor. You could also consult a psychiatrist or medical practitioner for psychopharmacological intervention. If you are suicidal or know someone who is, please make use (or encourage that person to make use) of the contact details provided below:

SADAG Mental Health Line (24/7) +27 11 234 4837
SADAG Suicide Crisis Line (24/7) 0800 567 567

For the full article on battling depression, click here. – Obakeng Makgale: UFS Department of Student Counselling and Development. Photo: Supplied

Rofhiwa Fatima Galatia is a 21-year-old BCom Accounting student at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the newly crowned Miss Free State 2021.

Rofhiwa is also a UFS athlete and co-founder of Immeasurable Women – a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that is all about women and community upliftment.

She entered the Miss Free State competition in order to align herself with the pageant’s brands, which aims to empower and support the ideals of an intellectual woman who embodies leadership and wants to foster development in communities.

“I believe that generational poverty is caused by a lack of a support system,” Rofhiwa remarked.

“My next step is to use this platform to uphold the South African patronage system of the Miss Free State competition. I want to encourage talent and fight food insecurity within our community, and further empower women and the community as a whole by breaking the stigma of limitations and poverty, through soliciting support and participation from business,” stated Rofhiwa.

She further explained that she believes it is her responsibility to show people that they are immeasurable and that they can be ordinary people with extraordinary dreams.
– Xolisa Mnukwa. Photo: Supplied
 

The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Student Affairs’ Career Services Office, in collaboration with the faculties of Law, Economic and Management Sciences, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences, will be hosting three virtual career fairs in May, as well as career weeks to assist students with work readiness, connecting them to the world of work and potential employees.

The link to the virtual fair can be found here: https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/LawCareerFair21

3-7 May: Faculty of Law Career Week
See the attached advert for the virtual fair (Law Career fair) The link to the virtual fair is: https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/LawCareerFair21

See attached poster for the Law Career Week programme (Law Career Week programme 2021).

11-12 May: SAGEA VirtualGradExpo
Interested in finding out about the employment opportunities that your degree can offer you?

The South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) will be hosting a VirtualGradExpo on 11 and 12 May 2021 from 10:00 to 15:00.

In order to get a link to access the VirtualGradExpo, you need to register prior to the dates given.

Click on this link to register:

Very important: you HAVE to register before the virtual fair dates in order to receive a link to access it.

13 May: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) virtual fair
See the attached advert for the NAS virtual fair.

The link to the event can be found here: https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/NasCareerFair21


19-26 May: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) Career Week
See the attached advert for the EMS virtual fair

The programme for the entire week will be sent to all EMS students via email.

The link to the virtual fair can be found here: https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/EMSCareerFair21

Unathi Xantibe, a final-year Social Work student, was the lucky winner of a ‘competition’ that formed part of an event hosted by the Social Work students at the UFS. The event was part of celebrations in which students portrayed their perception of Ubuntu.

Unathi was the ultimate victor who received the most likes and an amount of R500, which he donated to the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation house in Bloemfontein. The celebrations took form in poems, dance, and song.

In the spirit of World Social Work Day

The Ubuntu celebratory event was held under the theme of Ubuntu: I am Because We Are, which was the common message of World Social Work Day, commemorated annually on 16 March. According to Dr Merlene Esau, Lecturer in the Department of Social Work, the theme of Ubuntu: I am Because We Are, is also the first theme of the 2020-2030 Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development.

16 March is a key day in the year when social workers worldwide stand in solidarity to advance their common message. – Rulanzen Martin

Photo: Supplied
 

In 2012, Raymond Rhule started out at the University of the Free State (UFS) Young Guns, and then represented the Shimlas, Cheetahs, and Junior Springboks the same year. He even toured with the Springboks at the end of 2012.

It all started at the UFS and Shimlas for the Bok winger, when he was first noticed in the Varsity Cup.

The former Kovsie now counts among the best in Europe and has been nominated for the coveted European Player of the Year award.

Rhule, who plays for La Rochelle in France, is one of 15 nominees for the prestigious award. The 15 will become five after the European Champions Cup semi-finals on 1 and 2 May 2021.

The UFS Junior Sportsman of the Year for 2012 is one La Rochelle’s stars in the French Top 14 and helped his team reach the semi-finals of the Champions Cup for the first time.

Last week he was Man of the Match in the quarterfinal against Sale Sharks, who boast a whole host of South Africans such as Faf de Klerk, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, and Akker van der Merwe.

Make your vote count and vote for Rhule on the European Champions Cup’s website at: https://www.epcrugby.com/epoty #ProudlyKovsies #RugbyThatRocks – Jóhann Thormählen Photo: RugbyFifteen