Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> June 2005
Mr. Sithole Mbanga of South African Cities Network (SACN) and the Municipal Manager of Mangaung Local Municipality, Mr. MJ Matlole, addressing the media prior to a joint meeting of the SA Cities Network reference groups held from 11-13 May in the Bram Fischer Building, Bloemfontein. According to Matlole, the purpose of the meeting was to help Bloemfontein become a well-governed, productive city. “These three days will assist us in achieving this,” he said.
The cities involved with SACN are East London, Cape Town, East Rand, Durban, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria.
The development of SME's (small and medium enterprises) is regarded as one of the most important aspects on which the economic growth of a province is measured.
In the Free State, many initiatives for the development of SME's have been launched. However, SME development has been delayed as a result of a number of factors.
According to Mr. Dan Moloi, SMME Support Manager of the Mangaung Municipality, it might seem as if slow progress is being made with development in the Free State, but this is not the case. “The Umsobomvu Youth Fund has recently opened a regional branch in Bloemfontein. Their interest is in young entrepreneurs and they provide non-financial support as well as funding. He added that the Mangaung Municipality also supports and assists SME's.
Reasons that Moloi gave why people in the Free State aren't getting properly serviced is that many organisations that provide support are only active in Gauteng. Furthermore, there are only a small number of institutions, apart from banks, that offer access to funding.
The Director of Small Business Promotion of the Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, Mr. Mare Tsiki, said that the key intervention required at the moment in the Free State is capacity building. “The Free State lacks capacity in many area's to provide support to SME's.”
Tsiki said that the newest initiative by the Department is to train people in businesses in conjunction with the National Productivity Institute. "The project has been successful so far, but it is difficult to measure its success, as it is still in progress. The initiative is working, but it is still grossly inadequate." Tsiki stressed the importance of an integrated approach where the public, private and public sectors work together.
He said that problems with development in the Free State include that there are fragmented and inadequate resources for supporting SME's. There is also a weak institutional framework (structures to provide training and support).”Government needs a clear policy framework for SME development wich the private sector can also buy into.”
Free State businesses have an important role to play in the development of SME's, Tsiki said. “To promote development we need to work together to provide entrepreneurs with the resources they require, so they don't have to go and look outside the province.”
Dan Moloi said that the reason why businesses should get involved in SME development is that these enterprises provide an entry level into economic activity. “New products come from the SME sector and employment opportunities is also created.”
All indications are that the South African food market is evolving into a highly dynamic industry, driven by a combination of changes in technology, globalisation and saturating markets.
According to Euromonitor “this market performed far better than expected, but the future challenge for the SA packaged food market is to continue to drive profitable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
It is clear that South Africa's well-developed food industry has not only matured, but has developed into a globalplayer.
According to a website called SA Info the following food processing sectors all have turnovers in excess of R2,5 billion: Flour and other milled products, beer and malt, slaughtering and preparing of meat, canning and preserving of fruit and vegetables, bakery products, sugar, animal feeds, and wine and distilling.
The article further states that South Africa has a strong tradition of food research achievements in the areas of cereal science, fruit technology, fish research, biotechnology, genetic engineering and cell cloning, fermentation chemistry, novel synthesis of food additives, as well as essential oils and botanical extractions.
According to research done by David Fig from the University of Witwatersrand, food and beverage processing has become a major part of manufacturing in South Africa. Technologies of food preservation have led to the processes of canning and bottling making room for the application of refrigeration to safeguard fresh meat and fish products over time and distance. Advances in chemistry also assisted with food preservation, although affluent consumers are questioning chemical residues in food and indicating a preference for more organic products.
Thus the South African food processing industry made great strides from local efforts at dairy production, at milling and baking of cereal products and at canning of fruit and vegetables, to sophisticated food and beverages processing plants of national and often international extent. The mineral revolution in particular made it possible for foreign investors to gain scale advantages by setting up local plants, e.g.: Unilever, Reckitts & Colmans, Coca-Cola and others.
Therefore, besides the fact that food is an essential basic consumer commodity, the industry today is highly sophisticated, its big business and it is highly competitive. For this reason, the Free State Business Bulletin would hence focus regularly on the industry and its roleplayers and suppliers in central SA.
“Ten einde jou plaas op 'n strategiese manier te bestuur, moet jy dink soos 'n jakkals”, was die woorde van mnr. Clem Sunter, voorsitter van die Anglo American Chairman's Fund, by die Vrystaatse Jongboerkonferensie.
Die konferensie is gehou op 10 Mei by Kopano Nokeng naby Bloemfontein.
Sunter het die jong boere toegespreek oor strategieë wat hulle kan gebruik om hul plaas beter te bestuur. Sy toespraak was gebaseer op sy boek Games foxes play.
Die besigheidswêreld kan volgens Sunter met 'n speletjie vergelyk word omdat daar wenners en verloorders is. “Jakkalse dink slim oor die toekoms, hulle dink aan meer as een idee en besluit dan op die beste een. Boerdery is 'n uitdagende beroepskeuse, veral in Suid-Afrika, daarom is dit belangrik om vooruit te beplan.”
Sunter het beklemtoon dat dit noodsaaklik is vir boere om pro-aktief op te tree, ten einde 'n situasie soortgelyk aan Zimbabwe te vermy. “Dink aan strategieë wat die implikasie van negatiewe wendings sal minimaliseer. “Boere moet hul denkwyse verander voordat dit te laat is. Hulle moet hulle opsies sorgvuldig oorweeg en met kreatiewe oplossings vorendag kom,” het hy gesê.
Die Universiteit van die Vrystaat het op 28 Januarie 1904 te Bloemfontein 'n beskeie begin gehad met ses studente wat by die destydse Grey Universiteitskollege (GUK) ingeskryf het. Vandag spog die Universiteit met meer as 23 000 studente, waarvan baie afkomstig is uit Afrika en ander wêrelddele.
'n Tema wat soos 'n goue draad deur die geskiedenis van die Universiteit loop, is die van vasberadenheid om sonder groot steun van buite deur moeilike tye te kom en voortdurend te bou aan 'n altyd beter universiteit. Die beginjare van die Universiteit was midde-in 'n platgeslane en verwoeste Vrystaat ná die Anglo-Boere-oorlog (1899 - 1902), maar desondanks het die arm plaaslike gemeenskap hulself met geloof grootliks aan hul eie skoenrieme opgetrek en die grondslag gelê vir 'n universiteit wat 'n eeu later 'n moderne internasionale rolspeler sou wees.
Die Universiteit van die Oranje-Vrystaat, soos dit later bekend gestaan het, het stapsgewys in vakrigtings en gehalte onderrig uitgebrei en veral teen die einde van die veertigerjare sterk na vore begin tree. Finansieël was die 1950's tot vroeë 1970's voorspoedige jare, maar vanaf die 1980's het finansiële druk weer opgebou, druk wat eers verlig is met die suksesvolle finansiële draaistrategie wat in 2000 ingestel is.
Die resultate daarvan is vandag sigbaar in die vorm van die uitbreiding van die personeelkorps en die verbetering van hul vergoeding, verbetering van akademiese fasiliteite en toerusting, die pragtige studentesentrum - Thakaneng Brug, die wandellane en die omskepping van die eertydse Reitz-eetsaal in die Eeufeeskompleks.
Message from the Rector
From good to great: firming up the foundations for a great, robust university
for the next 100 years
• A centenary is only celebrated once in a lifetime. The year 2004 will
always be a special memory for those at the University of the Free State
lucky enough to have been part of it. Many moments of the celebrations
will not be forgotten:
• the magnificent birthday party on 28 January 2004, the thousands of
students dancing, mingling and celebrating, the camaraderie of staff
and students from all backgrounds and walks of the university, sensing
a new realisation that this really is their university;
• our symbolic walk from Grey College to the main building which symbolised
our journey from our past to the future;
• the poignancy of the honorary degree ceremonies, notably the one of
14 October 2004 which symbolised the coming together of the old and
the new;
• the moving historical significance of the première of the King Moshoeshoe
film, celebrating a nation builder often forgotten, celebrating the
start of a shared appreciation of the history of the Free State and
all its people;
• the Centenary Medal ceremony giving pause for reflection on the many
builders of the UFS who were not blessed still to be alive at these
celebrations, for the recognition of those who could be present, and
for the joy of the many who worked together at the University during
the last 30 years;
• the inauguration of the Centenary Complex, symbolising the renewal
and growth of the University of the Free State on century-old solid
foundations, its robustness as a place of scholarship in a new century
of ever-changing circumstances and challenges;
• the beauty of good architectural design, spatial and urban planning,
which has turned the main campus, once again, into a place of pride
and quality.
We had a good centenary year. Now we must look forward to the next century
because our journey is still continuing and always will - we must always
strive for something better.
We must look at our robustness and the need to sustain change, to the
new phase of transformation we are heading for, our engagement with
our communities and in the African context and the quality of our student
life.
We have reached a historic moment in the life of the UFS where innovative
thinking and bold steps yet again are necessary because 'failure is
not an option'.
We will embrace transformation and the South African and African context
by unpacking it, understanding it, researching it but finally taking
ownership of it. We will get beyond the rhetoric of transformation;
we will give intellectual content to it in a way which derives from
the intrinsic nature of the university.
Essentially we will nurture a common sense of belonging which is more
than “merely accommodating”. We will create an entirely new institutional
culture with non-dominance as norm and values which reflect the various
dimensions of culture of the multitude of cultures present at an institution,
creating a sense of belonging for all, white and black.
Prof Frederick C.v.N. Fourie Rector and Vice-Chancellor: University
of the Free State
Geskiedenis
Opsommend kan die geskiedenis van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat,
soos dit later hernoem is, soos volg saamgevat word.
Eerste kwarteeu: 1904-27: Stigting en kwesbare jare
Die UV kom in 1904 tot stand met die ses studente wat ingeskryf het
vir 'n B.A.-graad toegeken deur die University of the Cape of Good Hope.
Die vakke was Latyn, Grieks, Nederlands, Duits, Engels, Filosofie, Geskiedenis,
Wiskunde, Fisika, Skeikunde (Chemie), Plant- en Dierkunde.
Natuurwetenskappe kom in 1918 as aparte fakulteit tot stand.
Die hoeksteenlegging van die Hoofgebou vind op 19 Desember 1907 plaas.
Die nuwe geboue word in 1909 betrek en die dameskoshuis, Huis Pres Steyn,
in 1919.
Teen 1920 het die universiteit steeds slegs 100 studente gehad.
Die Reitzsaalkompleks verrys.
Aandlesings word ingebring om werkende studente te help, taalvaardigheidskursusse,asook
oorbruggingskursusse in Wiskunde en Wetenskap word ingestel.
Teen 1927 is daar al 420 studente, veral na besondere bemarkingswerk
van die rektor, ds. JD Kestell. Hy het ook suksesvolle fondsinsamelingsveldtogte
geloods.
Armoede onder studente voer steeds hoogty. Die eerste mylpale van kritiese
massa en volhoubaarheid is egter bereik.
Tweede fase: 1927 - 1950
Hierdie tyd gekenmerk deur die stigting en konsolidering van die vernaamste
basiese en beroepsgerigte fakulteite. Die tydvak word ook gekenmerk
deur die Depressie en die Tweede Wêreldoorlog. 'n Taal- en politieke
stryd word gevoer te midde van die politieke opkoms van die Nasionale
Party.
Die eerste aansoek om toelating van swart studente word in 1945 afgekeur.
Die UV slaan 'n Afrikaanse rigting (Christelik-nasionaal) in, wat sterk
momentum kry ná 1948.
Dit is steeds 'n ekonomies-knellende fase met 'n armblankevraagstuk.
Die studentegetalle groei stadig tot 573 in 1940.
Die basiese beroepsfakulteite kom tot stand: Handel (1937), Regte (1945)
en Opvoedkunde (1945). Pres. MT Steyn se standbeeld word in 1929 tydens
die 25-jarige fees van GUK onthul.
Die universiteit se naam verander in 1935 na Universiteitskollege van
die Oranje-Vrystaat (UKOVS), vandaar die bynaam “Kovsie(s).”
Derde fase: 1950 - 1976
Hierdie fase word ingelui met die universiteit se onafhankliksheidswording
op 18 Maart 1950. Dit was eenvoudige, ongekompliseerde tye, gekenmerk
deur kommerlose studentepret, groeiende voorspoed en selfversekerdheid
in die blanke en Afrikaanse gemeenskap.
Studentegetalle klim tot meer as 1 000 in 1950, 4 000 in 1970, en 7
000 in 1975.
Die naam verander na Universiteit van die Oranje-Vrystaat (UOVS).
Die Landboufakulteit en Mediese Fakulteit bygevoeg as belangrike mylpale
vir die Universiteit en die Vrystaat.
Nog koshuise word gebou: Kestell, Emily Hobhouse, Reitz-kamerwonings,
ens.; ook die latere groot groep “nuwe” koshuise in die
tydperk van prof. Benedictus Kok.
Heelwat nuwe akademiese geboue (Landbougebou, Odeion, C.R. Swart-gebou,
Biologie-gebou en Mediese Fakulteit) kom by.
Sportfasiliteite en afrigting word uitgebrei.
Op die oog af was die ideaal van volwaardige, onafhanklike universiteit
in hierdie tyd grootliks verwesenlik.
Vierde fase: 1976 -1989
In hierdie fase begin die navorsingsbasis groei, die Teologie-fakulteit
word gestig maar dit is ook die begin van politieke onstabiliteit en
radikale aanpassings in Suid-Afrika.
Groot verandering in navorsingsingesteldheid word bewerkstellig, veral
deur rektor Wynand Mouton se toedoen.
Die universiteit word polities en selfs akademies geïsoleer, nie
net buitelands, maar ook in Suid-Afrika.
Hy begin egter wel oor die Vrystaatse grense na byvoorbeeld die Noord-Kaap
beweeg.
Eerste stappe om bruin en swart studente toe te laat, eerste swart nagraadse
studente (1978) en voorgraadse studente (1988).
Eerste transformasiestappe word geneem deur nuwe rektor Francois Retief,
die begin van era van multi-kulturaliteit.
Vyfde fase:
Eerste deel: 1989 -1996
Besluit oor instelling van parallelmedium-onderrig word geneem (1993).
Swart studentegetalle groei beduidend.
Die eerste senior swart personeel word aangestel.
Naam verander na Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV).
Tweede deel: 1996 -2004
Hierdie tydperk word gedomineer deur twee woorde: Transformasie en draaistrategie.
Spanning tussen studentegroepe, word egter ontlont deur rektor Stef
Coetzee.
Fakulteite word gekonsolideer te midde van finansiële krisis en
rasionalisasie.
Gevolg deur die draaistrategie wat finansiële verligting en nuwe
ruimte bring.
Internasionalisering en akademiese rypwording (veral t.o.v. navorsing).
Inkorporering van Qwaqwa-kampus (2003) en Vista Bloemfontein (2004).
Nuwe taalbeleid (2003) onder leiding van rektor Frederick Fourie.
2005: Herinvestering in kwaliteit, akademiese kern, geboue en ander
fasiliteite, toerusting, personeel, ens.
Die Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe is 'n dinamiese en innoverende fakulteit wat die eise en uitdagings van vandag se snelveranderende ekonomiese en bestuursomgewing doeltreffend die hoof bied, met deeglike inagneming van 'n wêreld toenemend gekenmerk deur globalisering en skerp mededinging. Daarom beskik voor- en nagraadse studente aan die fakulteit oor toegang sonder weerga tot geleenthede vir opleiding, navorsing en samelewingsdiens.
Wat die geskiedkundige agtergrond betref, is die eerste ekonomiesverwante opleiding aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat reeds in 1917 aangebied. Verdere geskiedkundige mylpale is:
In 1928 is die eerste B.Com.- en B Econ.-grade ingestel.
In 1937 is die Fakulteit vir Ekonomiese en Administratiewe Wetenskappe gestig.
Tans word meer as 50 voor- en nagraadse kwalifikasies deur die Fakulteit aangebied deur sowat 70 ervare en hoogsopgeleide dosente.
As een van die mees vooruitstrewende fakulteite van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat het studentegetalle aan die Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe sedert 1998 met meer as 80% toegeneem. Hierdie groei is te danke aan innoverende produkontwikkeling wat aan omgewingseise voldoen deur middel van onderrig/leer, navorsing en samelewingsdiensleer programme van top akademiese gehalte.
Die feit dat industrie-, professionele en algemene gemeenskapsinsette in die ontwerp van hierdie programme verreken is, lewer 'n gesonde opbrengs op die belegging wat veral sedert 1998 in terme van tyd, energie en inisiatief gemaak is.
The active international positioning of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences has contributed greatly to a significant increase in the number of foreign students. Interest, especially from students coming from Africa, in particular the Master's degree in Development Studies, the MBA and the Bachelor's degree in Management and Leadership, is confirmation that the quality of the programmes offered by the faculty is on par with international standards. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of internet-based study programmes promotes the globalisation of the Faculty's qualification programmes.
All the academic programmes currently presented by the Faculty produce results that enhance the esteem and academic reputation of the University as an institution of excellence. The programmes in Private Sector Management, Public Sector Management and Training of Accountants, as well as the School of Management and the Centre for Development Support, play a vital role in the realisation of the vision of the Faculty to be on the forefront in its field in South Africa and even internationally.
On the main campus in Bloemfontein, students number close to 16 000, while almost 3 000 use other means of study such as the Internet and distance education. The Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State, which was incorporated in January 2003, has approximately 1 500 students.
Six faculties offer a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The University is an important centre for research and has close ties with a number of universities on the continent as well as around the world.
The UFS is recognised as a leader in the transformation process in South African higher education. By keeping pace with changing times, the University remains true to it's vision: To be an excellent, equitable and innovative university.
A breakdown of the six Faculties with their respective main departments, schools and centers is as follows:
Economic and Management Sciences
Business Management • Centre for Accounting • Centre for Development Support • Economic and Management Sciences • Economics • Industrial Psychology • Public Management • School of Management
Health Sciences
Administration • Anaesthesiology • Anatomical Pathology • Animal Research Centre • Basic Medical Sciences • Biostatistics • Cardiology • Cardiothoracic Surgery • Chemical Pathology • Community Health • Critical Care • Dermatology • Diagnostic Radiology • Family Practice • Forensic Medicine • Haemotology and Cell Biology • Human Nutrition • Internal Medicine • Medical Microbiology • Medical Physics • National Control Laboratory for Biological Products • Neurology • Neurosurgery • Nuclear Medicine • Obstetrics and Gynaecology • Occupational Therapy • Oncotherapy •Ophthalmology • Optometry • Orthopaedics • Otorhinolaryngology • Paediatrics and Child Health • Pharmacology • Physiotherapy • Plastic Surgery • Psychiatry • School of Allied Health Professions • School of Medicine • School of Nursing • Surgery • Urology
Law
Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law • Criminal and Medical Law • Law of Criminal Procedure and Evidence • Mercantile Law • Private Law • Roman Law History of Law and Comparative
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Economics • Animal- and Wildlife- and Grassland Sciences • Architecture • Centre for Confocal and Electron Microscopy • Centre for Environmental Management • Centre for Sustainable Agriculture • Chemistry • Computer Science and Informatics • Electronics • Experimental Farm • Geography • Geology • Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS) • Instrumentation • Mathematics and Applied Mathematics • Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology • Physics • Plant Sciences • Quantity Surveying and Construction Management • Soil and Crop and Climate Sciences • Statistics/Mathematical Statistics • Urban and Regional Planning • Zoology and Entomology
The Humanities
African Languages • Afrikaans & Dutch & German & French • Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language • Anthropology • Centre for Health Systems Research and Development • Communication and Information Studies • Comparative Education and Educational Management • Criminology • Curriculum Studies • Drama and Theatre • English and Classical Languages • Fine Arts • History • History of Art • Human Movement Science • Music • Philosophy • Philosophy and Policy Studies An Education • Political Science • Psychology • Psychology of Education • Research Institute for Education Planning • SA Media • Social Work • Sociology • Technological Education • Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment • Unit for Professional Training and Services in the Behavioural Science
Theology
Biblical and Religious Studies • Church History and Polity • Missiology • New Testament • Old Testament • Practical Theology • System Theology
Vir die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) was dit belangrik om met Vrystaatse vennote die feesjaar aan te pak. Daarom is meer as 85% van die totale UV-Eeufeesbegroting plaaslik te bestee.
Dit het reeds begin met die groot verjaardagpartytjie op 28 Januarie 2004. Die verjaardagkoek van 100 m² - 25 m x 4 m - is deur 'n plaaslike bakkery voorsien en eiehandig op die kampus versier.
Ander wat baat gevind het, sluit onder meer in die gasvryheidsbedryf - insluitend spyseniers, gastehuise, hotelle en reisagentskappe wat dienste verskaf het vir die talle spesiale kongresse, seminare, prestige-lesings, dinees en gala-aande wat op die kampus aangebied is.
Die drukkersbedryf in Bloemfontein was net so aktief. Drukwerk het nie slegs uitnodigings en programme ingesluit nie, maar ook baniere en vlae. Meer as 9 813 foto's is tydens die aktiwiteite geneem.
Al die hoofmomente van die Eeufeesjaar het voor die historiese Hoofgebou op die kampus plaasgevind. Die indrukwekkende verhoog met 'n staalraamkoepel, sowel as al die klanktoerusting en beligting is deur 'n plaaslike verskaffer voorsien. Dit is goed om te weet Bloemfontien kan sy ding doen.
Klein tuisteskeppers het bygedra deur die maak van kerse, koffiebekers en koekies - selfs verskeie bloemiste het kleur aan die feesjaar gegee.
Verskeie bouprojekte is ook aangepak, waaronder die inrigting van die Eeufeeskompleks, bestaande uit onder meer die Reitzsaal en DF Malherbehuis vir onthaalgeriewe, asook die herinrigting van die Hoofgebou vir topbestuur. Die opgradering en instandhouding van fasiliteite en die verbetering van voetgangerroetes het bygedra om die kampus iets besonders te maak. Plaaslike kontrakteurs is vir hierdie projek gebruik.
Dit was vir my 'n voorreg om vir die tydperk te gedien het as UV Eeufeesprojek-koördineerder en so deel van die historiese fees te gewees het.
Niemand, geen personeellid of verskaffer, was ooit onwillig of nie in staat om alles vir die UV te gee nie. Baie dankie aan almal in Bloemfontein en die Vrystaat vir die ywer en entoesiasme waarmee die UV Eeufees gevier is. Mag hierdie verskaffers na 100 jaar steeds bestaan!
Diep spore wat oud-Kovsies in die sakewêreld getrap het, loop diep en wyd op talle terreine. Sommige het besigheidsverwante en entrepreneuriese kursusse geswot, terwyl talle dokters, prokureurs, rekenmeesters, ens. hul eie praktyke begin het. Baie ander het nie direkte besigheidsverwant geswot nie, maar tog suksesvol die sakewêreld betree.
Wat het die meeste oud-Kovsies by die UVS geleer wat hulle tot vandag toe nog met hulle saamdra? Mensekennis, d.w.s. hoe om met mense in die besigheidswêreld te werk, is die eenparige antwoord wat gekry is uit 'n vinnige steekproef .
Anton Klopper, een van die direkteure van Kloppers in Bloemfontein, het in 1989 'n mediese graad voltooi. Hy was egter nie lank in die praktyk voor hy by sy broers, vyf in die besigheid, aangesluit het nie. “Daar was 'n gaping in die sportafdeling wat ek kon vul,” sê Klopper. Sy mediese agtergrond is egter nog steeds van belang, aangesien hy nou o.m. gratis mediese advies aan die 220 personeel by Kloppers verskaf.
Een van die vennote by Stabilan, Stoffel Botha, is ook 'n oud-Kovsie en voormalige Vrystaatse slotvoorspeler. Hy het in 1967 sy BA (Hons) met LO as hoofvak verwerf. Nadat hy onder andere skoolgehou het, het hy by Stabilan, 'n verskaffer van material vir multi-verdiepinggeboue, as 'n vennoot geland. “Die mensekennis wat ek by Kovsies opgedoen het, het vir my baie beteken in my besigheid,” sê Stoffel.
Daan Havenga is die stigter en senior vennoot van Havenga, Rossouw Viljoen, 'n ouditeursfirma in Bloemfontein.“My loopbaan by Kovsies het my geleer om mense te verstaan. Besigheid is 'n 'people's game', sosiale vaardighede is belangrik in die bedryf,” sê hy. Havenga voeg by dat sy kursus hom ook in staat gestel het om onafhanklik te begin werk en het hom van die vakkundige vaardighede voorsien.
'n Sakeman wat al by verskeie sake-organisasies betrokke was, is prof. Johann Coetzee. Hy het in 1968 sy B. Admin graad verwerf en ook 'n honneurs voltooi. Hy was aanvanklik by Frasiers in Bloemfontein en Lesotho betrokke, waarna hy vir 'n ruk klas gegee het, voordat hy sy eie konsultasiepraktyk gevestig het. Hy is ook steeds in 'n dosenthoedanigheid.
'n Vrou wat haar stempel op die sakewêreld afgedruk het is Corrie Prinsloo, eienaar en stigter van Die Rooi Kombuis. Die Rooi Kombuis lewer vars gebak en spysenieringsdienste. Prinsloo het in 1982 haar BA LO-graad aan Kovsies voltooi, maar sê dat sy nie meer veel van die kennis wat sy tydens haar studies opgedoen het, benut nie.
'n Bekende besigheidsman in Bloemfontein en befaamde Springbokheelagter, Gysie Pienaar, het 'n sportkursus by die UV voltooi en was ook by die Sportburo werksaam. Deesdae is hy die eienaar van Gysie Pienaar Motors in Bloemfontein en is hy betrokke by die agentskappe Car en Van Rental. Hy is ook van mening dat die mensekennis wat hy deur die UVS opgebou het, vir hom van sleutelbelang was.
Laastens, maar nie die minste nie, is Malinda Coetzer, eienaar van Goue Lint by Preller Plein en Tweede Laan. Sy het in 1969 haar BA-graad voltooi, waarna sy 'n Honneurs in Kriminologie gedoen het. Sy is al in die bedryf van 1982 af en het die Goue Lint in 1990 tot stand gebring. Die belangrikste vaardigheid wat sy by Kovsies geleer het, is hoe om te kommunikeer. “Die universiteit, veral as jy in die koshuis was, gee jou blootstelling aan 'n wyer wêreld.”
Background
Soos wat die naam aandui, bestaan hierdie Fakulteit basies uit twee hoofbene, nl. Natuurwetenskappe en Landbouwetenskappe.
Talle van die departemente onder die huidige Natuurwetenskappe het hulle ontstaan gehad met die stigting van die Universiteit in 1904 en het hulle, tesame met latere departemente, die afgelope eeu 'n trotse rekord van opleiding, navorsing en ander bydraes tot ontwikkeling in die Vrystaat en in veel wyer verband gelewer.
Die Fakulteit Landbou is in 1958 gestig en van meet af aan was dit integraal verweef met die boerdery- en landbousektor. Sodoende is sleutelbydraes gemaak in die proses om landbou al hoe meer mededingend binne die totale ekonomiese opset te maak.
Op 1 April 2000 het Natuurwetenskappe en Landbou saamgesmelt om die nuwe Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe te vorm. Dit het tot groter gesamentlike kapasiteit gelei om (1) 'n wyer verskeidenheid navorsingsprojekte aan te pak, en (2) multi-dissiplinêre probleme te analiseer en effektief aan te spreek.
Hierdie vernuwende navorsingsgees hou die Fakulteit in lyn met die nuutste problematiek en wetenskaptegnieke. Enkele voorbeelde van nuwe navorsingsrigtings is :
• GMO laboratorium in Departement Plantwetenskappe
• Sentrum vir Rampbestuur
• Leerstoel in Internasionale Landboubemarking- en Ontwikkeling
• Bloemwater Leerstoel in Wateromgewingsbestuur
• Sentrum vir Volhoubare Landbou
• Navorsingsprogram in Biotegnologie
• Die SA Kookolie Inisiatief
Thus today the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is not only on the forefront of the latest developments in its various fields, but is in many cases pioneering new developments and setting the pace. This is evident in the brief overview of the activities of the Faculty given below.
Vir verdere navrae, kontak die Fakulteitsbestuurder, me. Corné Havemann, by :
Biologiegebou 11, UV Kampus,
E-pos: havemach.sci@mail.uovs.ac.za.
Tel.: (051) 401 2490 • Faks: 051 401 3728.
Overview
Die Fakulteit se bydrae tot ontwikkeling en entrepreneurskap behels
onder meer die volgende:
• Die Departement Dierkunde en Entomologie is bekend vir hulle
werk op akwatiese parasitologie in die Okavango, terwyl ander areas
insluit dieregedrag in ariede en semi-ariede omgewings, forensiese entomologie,
riviermuggiebeheer in die Vaal/Oranjerivier besproeiingskemas, biosistematiek
en ekologiese navorsing op spinnekoppe. Sodoende word o.a. 'n groot
bydrae gemaak tot die instandhouding en bevordering van ekotoerisme.
Ander kritiese prestasie-areas van Natuurwetenskappe, is die groot aantal konferensies en werkswinkels waarvoor as gasheer opgetree word, plaaslik asook in die buiteland, waaraan personeel van die Fakulteit nie net aktief deelneem nie, maar dikwels 'n leidende aandeel het. Voorts dien senior personeel van die Fakulteit in top bestuursposte van internasionale vakverenigings waaraan hulle behoort, bv. Prof. Jo van As van die Departement Dierkunde en Entomologie is verkies tot President van die Internasionale Vereniging van Visparasitologie.
Oorsig
Bydrae tot ontwikkeling
Enkele bydraes deur Landbouwetenskappe tot praktiese ontwikkeling en
vooruitgang is die volgende :
Die Departement Vee-, Wild- en Weidingkunde is nou betrokke by die skatting
van genetiese parameters en teelwaardes, terwyl effektiewe waterbenutting
en volhoubare plantproduksie van die weidingekosisteem in ariede gebiede
internasionale aansien geniet.
Die “African Large Predator Research Unit” (ALPRU) gebruik
groot predatore in hulle navorsing as indikatore van die welstand van
die natuurlike omgewing, veral die habitat en prooispesies. Verskeie
wêrelddeurbrake is gemaak, bv. die meting van die grootte van
leeus as die leidende predatore in Afrika en die betekenis wat dit vir
wetenskaplike berekening van ekosisteembalanse het.
Die Departement Landbou-ekonomie fokus op landbou-risikobestuur, effektiewe
aanwending van water en grond, landelike ontwikkeling, marknavorsing,
beleidsvraagstukke, industrie-analises en presisieboerdery.
Die Departement Grond-, Gewas en Klimaatwetenskappe het onlangs navorsing
afgehandel op o.m. rypskade by koring, bemesting van Lachenalia wat
kommersieel verbou word, ontwikkeling van alternatiewe gewasse, ens.
Voorts word unieke navorsing o.m. gedoen op die invloed van gewasverbouing
op die organiese materiaal van Suid-Afrikaanse gronde, asook GMO-toetsing.
Die fokus van die Departement Landbouweerkunde het verskuif na mielies
en bone as verkieslike tussenverbouingsisteme om voedselsekuriteit in
sub-Sahara Afrika aan te spreek.
Die Sentrum vir Volhoubare Landbou ondervind tans 'n rekordinname van
studente nie slegs uit SA nie, maar benewens die SADC-lande, ook vanuit
Ierland, Engeland, Nederland, Denemarke, Kenia en Ethiopië. Die
Sentrum vervul 'n sleutelrol in die daarstelling van kundigheid, vir
rolspelers in die landbou, soos insetverskaffers, adviseurs, finansiële
instellings en onderrig- en navorsingsinstansies. Verder het indringende
ondersoek na volhoubare landbou-opleiding aanleiding gegee tot die ontwikkeling
van nuwe modules binne fokusareas soos plant- en diereproduksiestelsels,
agribesigheidsbestuur, waardetoevoeging en landelike ontwikkeling.
Die Departement Vee-, Wild- en Weidingkunde is betrokke by die Stoetteler
van die Jaar, die Voermol Bees- en Skaapboer, die SA Meester Suiwelboer
en die SA Jongboer van die Jaar. Die Departement het ook pas 'n projek
vir volhoubare produksie van eiers deur kleinboere afgehandel en is
tans besig met opleiding in hierdie verband.
Bykans al die dissiplines van Landbouwetenskappe is betrokke by die
Lengau Landbouprojek wat op proefplase van die Universiteit gestalte
kry in samewerking met verskeie rolspelers in die Vrystaat, soos die
Mangaung Plaaslike Munisipaliteit en die Nasional African Farmers Union
(NAFU). Dr. Léan van der Westhuizen neem hierin reeds vir jare
'n leidende inisiatief en op hierdie stadium is die Lengau Landbouprojek
reeds ongetwyfeld die voorste landboubemagtigingsprojek vir opkomende
landbouers in die Vrystaat.
Onlangs is 'n leerstoel vir Landbou-ontwikkeling met steun van die Land
Bank ingestel.
Loopbaantoepassings
Landbouwetenskappe bied toegang tot 'n verskeidenheid loopbane: Graadstudies
in B.Sc. Agric. kan lei tot beroepe soos agronoom of plantproduksie-spesialis,
entomoloog, landbouweerkundige, diereteler, grondkundige, voedselwetenskaplike,
landbou-ekonoom, besproeiingskundige, dierefisioloog, dierevoedingkundige
en weidingkundige. Graadstudies met B.Agric. rus afgestudeerdes toe
vir beroepe in o.a. besproeiingsbestuur, gewasproduksiebestuur en landboubestuur.
Die afgelope paar jaar kan studente ook 'n Dipl. Agric. verwerf vir
loopbane in diereproduksie, landboubestuur, plantproduksie en natuurlike
hulpbronne.
Practice-orientated
Agricultural Sciences are constantly in touch with the practical side
of agriculture and contributions are made on various issues ranging
from research on technological and productivity improvements to training
and development of emerging farmers.
The new international environment poses many opportunities as well as
threats to the agricultural sector. As a result of globalisation, the
agricultural sector faces many challenges. The Faculty is currently
creating capacity and developing strategic partnerships with the private
and public sectors. Together they will be able to face the future challenges
of the agricultural sector in this country and abroad.
Vanweë die sentrale rol wat die verskillende vertakkinge van die
Bouwetenskappe in die praktiese ekonomie speel, word hulle vir doeleindes
van hierdie oorsig van die Fakulteit, as 'n been op sig self behandel.
Sodanige vertakkinge sluit o.m. in argitektuur, stads- en streekbeplanning,
bourekenkunde, boubestuur en eiendomsontwikkeling.
Programbenaderings
Die Argitektuurprogram van die Fakulteit van die Vrystaat is geskoei
op “die maak van betekenisvolle plek”, 'n universele tema
wat die multi-dimensionele geaardheid van argitektuur ontgin aan die
hand van die menslike ekologiese landskap. Gevolglik identifiseer die
ontwerpkursus deurlopend bepaalde ontwerpkonstantes aan die hand van
verskillende omgewings, sosio-ekonomiese en metodologiese veranderlikes.
During the first year of study, the place of the individual in the natural
landscape is emphasised. During the second year of study the focus shifts
towards the place of the group within the man-made landscape. The third
year of study focuses on the place of the community within the built
environment, as well as on the contextual relationship between community
dwellings and the urban environment. The fourth year [Honours] investigates
appropriate architectural solutions in an urban context. The final year
[5th] entails the design of a building of the student's own choice,
demonstrating that the accumulated practical and academic knowledge
has been fully integrated.
The objective of any regional planning intervention should be to integrate
economic, spatial, social, institutional, environmental, cultural and
fiscal strategies in a participatory manner. This supports the optimal
allocation of scarce resources in a manner which ensures appropriate
sustainable development, growth, equity and empowerment.
Bydrae tot ontwikkeling
Bouwetenskappe lewer 'n betekenisvolle bydrae tot die Vrystaat deur,
eerstens, beroepsvoorbereiding van studente as o.m. profesionele argitekte,
bourekenaars, konstruksiebestuurders, projekbestuurders, eiendomskonsultante,
ens. Voorts word die program ook as afstandsonderrig aangebied in Suidelike
Afrika en is die Universiteit van die Vrystaat die enigste geakkrediteerde
universiteit wat sodanige diens aan die breë gemeenskap lewer.
Tweedens het die Sentrum vir Konstruksie-Entrepreneurs sedert 1987 ongeveer
500 kleinbouers en -entrepreneurs opgelei en word benewens Bloemfontein,
programme ook te Kimberley en Johannesburg aangebied in fasiliteitsbestuur,
projekbestuur, gesondheid, veiligheid en voortgesette professionele
opleiding.
Derdens, doen Bouwetenskappe diepgaande navorsing nie net op streeksvlak
nie, maar ook nasionaal en internasionaal en word intensief saamgewerk
met talle nasionale en internasionale vakkundige verenigings en instansies.
Vierdens, publiseer Bouwetenskappe die enigste ten volle geakkrediteerde
wetenskaplike tydskrif van sy soort aan 'n SA universiteit, nl. die
Acta Structilia.
Ontwikkelingsprojekte
Van die ontwikkelingsprojekte waartoe verskillende dissiplines van Bouwetenskappe
tans waardevolle insette lewer, is o.m. die volgende:
Die Departement Bourekenkunde en Konstruksiebestuur het onlangs 'n projek
wat gehandel het oor Measurement Procurement of Buildings in samewerking
met die Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) van Engeland
voltooi. Verder is navorsing om beramingsmetodes te verbeter en om die
kostegedrag van bou-elemente te bepaal in samewerking met die Departemente
Openbare Werke onlangs afgehandel.
Departement Bouwetenskappe is tans deel van 'n span wat by die herontwikkeling
van Bloemfonteinse middestad betrokke is. Maniere word ondersoek om
die gebied so aan te pas en te herstruktureer dat mense en bedrywe na
die middestad teruggelok word en grondwaardes positief omgedraai word.
Die Departement Stads- en Streekbeplanning is betrokke by navorsing
oor die ontwikkeling van 'n Welkom-Bloemfontein Korridor. Die Departement
was ook betrokke by 'n studie oor die persepsies van inwoners in Botshabelo
oor sekuriteitsheinings.
Hierdie oorsig bied slegs 'n sleutelgatloer op die intensiewe en omvangryke
bydraes wat die Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe tot die ekonomie
en tot ontwikkeling lewer, nie net in die Vrystaat nie, maar ook nasionaal
en internasionaal.
Wat die toekoms betref, is die grootste enkele uitdaging vir die Fakulteit
die skepping van 'n uitnemende, billike en innoverende fakulteit wat
'n leiersrol speel in die skepping van die kapasiteit, kennis en tegnologie
wat nodig is vir 'n wen-nasie. Dit vereis o.m.:
Betrokkenheid van personeel van die Fakulteit by die oplossing van probleme
in die streek en in Afrika.
Hoëvlak mannekrag bemagtig en toegerus.
'n Entrepreneuriese kultuur en aanslag.
Kwaliteit produkte.
'n Absolute toewyding om ons land en sy mense te dien.
For the Faculty, growing partnerships with inter alia the business and
corporate worlds is invaluable. Jointly we can move the frontiers of
competitiveness of South African companies.
The Faculty maintains an open door - we invite you to communicate with
us!
Van meet af het die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, soos dit
vandag bekend is, 'n sneller-effek gehad op ontwikkeling in die Vrystaat
en voortvloeiend daaruit op besigheid. Dit blyk o.m. uit die volgende:
Die opleiding van studente tot o.m. onderwysers, prokureurs, advokate,
wetenskaplikes, bedryfsleiers en later boere, landboukundiges, dokters,
ens. het in die samelewing 'n akkumulatiewe ontwikkelingsgolf tot gevolg
gehad.
Die navorsing wat gedoen is het nuwe deure vir ontwikkeling, die ekonomie,
die beroepslewe en ander terreine geopen en verdere groei en opheffing
van standaarde meegebring.
Die aankope wat die Universiteit vir sy talle verskillende behoeftes
moes doen, die dienste wat gebruik moes word om sy opset te ontwikkel
en uit te brei en die salarisspandering van 'n groeiende personeelkorps
het baie bygedra tot die verhoging in volume geldvloei in die provinsie
en in die streek.
Groeiende studentegetalle deur die jare het ook meegebring groter koopkrag
in Bloemfontein en wyer en dus gevolglike positiewe impak op die plaaslike
ekonomie.
Talle ander newe-effekte het ook katalisators tot ontwikkeling en besigheidsuitbreiding
tot gevolg gehad, soos die aanbieding en fasilitering van talle konferensies,
seminare, ens. op die universiteitskampus, die doelgerigte bevordering
van entrepreneurskap, e.s.m.
In latere jare het die rol en effek van die Vrystaatse Universiteit
uitgekring tot nasionale omvang en selfs ver en wyd internasionaal.
Dus in somtotaal sou dit in geldwaarde en in statistiese terme nie moontlik
wees om die bydrae van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat te bereken
nie.
Hierdie spesiale oorsig van die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin bied dus slegs
'n oogopslag op die geweldige ontwikkelingsrol van die Universiteit
en as sulks terselfdertyd graag 'n beskeie huldeblyk in hierdie verband.
In order to keep pace with the fast-moving era of internasionalisation and globalisation, the University of the Free State has established an international office. The office is responsible for international and inter-institutional liaison and provides a range of services to foreign students.
As such, the International Office inter alia facilitates and manages international and inter-institutional agreements, liaises with other tertiary institutions, meets with visiting academics and streamlines the administration of international students.
As for the latter, the International Office is the first port of call for international students, helping them settling in, arranging visas and study permits, etc.
Contact details: Tel: +27 51 401 3219
Fax: +27 51 401 9185
E-mail: niemannaja.rd@mail.uovs.ac.za.
Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
This practical six months course covers legislation with regard to conflict
resolution between parties and includes inter alia the Arbitration Act
and the Labour Relations Act.
Topics covered, are inter alia the advantages of ADR over litigation
and the goals of ADR; methods of ADR - Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation
and Arbitration; role of the conflict facilitator; and practical application
of ADR.
Assessment: Assignments during the year, practical exercises in class and an examination.
Cost of course: R3 800 - includes handbook and all study material.
Requirements for admission: Grade 12 or proof of adequate prior learning.
Further information: Ms. R. Erasmus or Mr Jaco Deacon at tel: (051) 401 3670
Gevorderde Serifikaat in Arbeidsreg
Die program is ontwerp om persone te ondersteun om in Arbeidsreg te
spesialiseer. Die kursus, oor 'n tydperk van ses maande aangebied deur
akademici en praktisyns, behels in diepte studie van die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge,
1995, die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes, 1997 en die Wet op Gelyke
Indiensneming, 1998.
Onderwerpe wat hanteer word, sluit in werksure, verlof, vakbonde, bedingingsrade,
ontslag, onbillike arbeidspraktyke, stakings en diskriminasie. Aandag
word ook aan nuwe ontwikkelings gegee.
Koste van kursus: R3 800 - sluit alle kursus-materiaal in.
Toelatingsvereistes: Sertifikaat in Arbeidsreg of enige aanvaarde voorafleer
in Arbeidsreg.
Assesering: Werkstukke gedurende die semester, praktiese werk en 'n
eksamen.
Verdere inligting: Me. R Erasmus tel: (051)-401 3734 of prof J V du
Plessis tel: (051) 401 2409.
Een van die opwindendste nuwe ontwikkelinge op die universiteitskampus en wat ook saamgeval het met die Eeufeesviering, was die opening van die Thakaneng Brug Studentesentrum op 3 Oktober 2003. As sulks is dit ook die eerste sake-ontwikkeling bo-oor 'n openbare pad of straat in die Vrystaat.
Die Thakaneng Brug Studentesentrum bevat winkels, banke, restaurante, kitskosuitlate, 'n supermark, haarsalon en vermaak - 'n totaal van 37 besighede. Die samestelling van winkels is ná marknavorsing so beplan dat dit voldoen aan al die vereistes van studente. Boeke, skryfbehoeftes, studiemateriaal en selfs rekenaartoerusting word in die sentrum te koop aangebied.
Op die winkelbrug vertoon televisieskerms deurlopend gunstelingprogramme. Studente kan ook hul gunsteling sportsoorte gesellig kom volg terwyl hulle smul aan 'n verskeidenheid wegneemetes. Die televisies word bedryf deur 'n maatskappy genaamd Campus TV wat ook plaaslike besighede die geleentheid gee om deur middel van televisie-advertensies hul produkte onder studente te bemark.
Die winkelbrug is toegerus met lugversorging en bied somer en winter 'n lekker kuierplek aan studente. Hulle kom daar saam om te eet, ontspan of sommer net om tussen klasse rond te sit.
Verskeie oop ruimtes op die sentrum is so beplan dat studente-aktiwiteite daar aangebied kan word. In die praktyk benut studente die sentrum uitstekend en verskeie vorme van vermaak word aangebied.
In die sentrum is ook 'n rekenaarlokaal met 200 rekenaars wat oop is tot laat saans.
'n Eenstop inligtingspunt op die sentrum verskaf aan besoekers aan die UV al die inligting wat benodig mag word.
Die sentrum huisves ook die kantore van die Studenteraad en van die Studentedekaan.
Die Bestuurder van die Sentrum is mnr. Anton Liebenberg. Hy sê dat hoewel al die sakepersele in die sentrum tans verhuur is, word voornemende huurders op 'n waglys geplaas vir indien 'n perseel sou beskikbaar raak. Liebenberg kan gekontak word by (051) 401 9042 of 082 749 4429.
Dat die Universiteit van die Vrystaat 'n trotse ontwikkelingsrol het, is gewis. Wat is egter die uitdagings om in hierdie verband volhoubaarheid te verseker?
In antwoord word in hierdie oorsig die volgende enkele punte aangestip:
• Die eerste is seker volgehoue kwaliteit onderrig en die uitreiking van algemeen-internasionaal-erkende kwalifikasies. In hierdie opsig is die uitdaging veral om nie toelatingsvereistes a.g.v. voorgeskrewe raskwotas en politieke dienstigheid te verlaag nie.
• 'n Tweede voor die handliggende uitdaging is doeltreffende bestuur van die Universiteitsopset ten einde aan die vereistes van effektiewe finansiële aanwending, ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid, optimisering van menslike hulpbronne en maksimalisering van bates en toerusting te voldoen.
• Derdens, is dit 'n uitdaging om 'n kampusomgewing te handhaaf wat in terme van veiligheid, vryheid, akademiese uitlewing en studentegees die maksimum toelaatbare en gewenste te bied.
• Vierdens, moet verseker 'n taalbeleid toegepas word wat aan die behoeftes van multi-kulturaliteit voldoen, maar terselfdertyd altyd die werklikheid van Afrikaans as onontbeerlike plaaslike ontwikkelingsdinamo en van Engels as die nommer een internasionale medium van kommunikasie te erken.
• Vyfdens, moet uiteraard tred gehou word met die algemene internasionale standaarde vir hoër onderwysinstellings, veral wat navorsing betref.
• Laastens, moet vasgehou en desnoods teruggekeer word na die eertydse leuse van die Universiteit "In Deo Sapientae Lux" - "in U Lig sien ons die lig". “People who value their privileges above their principles, soon lose both”, het 'n voormalige Amerikaanse president, Dwight Eisenhower, gesê.
Established in 2004, the Entrepreneurial Office (EO) is an exciting newcomer on the campus of the University of the Free State with the mission to :
Establish and maintain a technology transfer programme at the university with the aim of assisting researchers to commercialize research findings.
Assist entrepreneurs in the designing of business plans leading to business enterprises and spinout companies.
Cultivate an entrepreneurial culture amongst students and staff at the university by arranging workshops and competitions as well as identifying new commercialization and business opportunities.
Develop and maintain policies to assist the university in the process of patenting, commercialization and profit sharing.
Technology Transfer Programme
In the Technology Transfer Programme, research with commercial possibilities are identified and evaluated, after which assistance with patenting is being provided. Once this phase is successful, negotiations for venture capital is being assisted with, even with a view to international marketing.
Up to now the Entrepreneurial Office has been able to license potential products from yeast cultures for pharmaceutical applications and offer an anti-cancer drug developed in the Department of Chemistry to a pharmaceutical company.
In the pipeline is a newly developed organic blight control pesticide from plant extracts for use on crops, as well a new uses for micro organisms.
Upholding the bond
The University of the Free State values its alumni. The aim of the Kovsie Alumni Association is to strengthen and uphold the bond between alumn If you have successfully completed one year as a student at the University, you automatically become a member of the Kovsie Alumni Association. The Association has branches all over the country where Kovsie Alumni have the opportunity to make contact with other Kovsies in their area. i and their alma mater. The Association also aims to guard over the traditions and interests of the University and to promote the University's image.
Regional branches
Currently the Kovsie Alumni Association has 23 branches across the country and new branches continue to be established. These branches usually meet at least once a year. At these functions, alumni are informed about the latest Kovsie achievements and also have the opportunity to relive their days at the University of the Free State.
Interest groups
The Kovsie Alumni Association incorporates other interest groups, such as sport clubs and career related associations.
If you, for example, did your MBA at Kovsies, you could become part of our MBA Alumni and receive up to date career-related information.
Castle Lager Londen Reünie
Kovsies hou jaarliks vir sy Alumni in Londen 'n Castle Lager Kovsie-Alumni Reünie! Vanjaar se reünie gaan in 'n klas van sy eie wees en word op die Queen Mary op die Teemsrivier gehou. Die spreker is die gewilde BlouWillem Theron. Daar gaan ook tydens die reünie 'n 'cantush' gehou word.
Daar is net plek vir 120 oud-Kovsies, so indien jy 'n oud-Kovsie in Londen ken, stuur gerus sy/haar besonderhede na anlibosman@yahoo.com of jbj@mail.uovs.ac.za.
Gholfdae
Daar is elke jaar verskeie Oud-Kovsie Gholfdae. Die Bloemfonteinse Gholfdag is uiters gewild en maak gerus solank 'n aantekening van vanjaar se Gholfdag wat op 21 Oktober by Schoemanpark plaasvind.
Drama reunion
A big reunion for Alumni of the UFS Drama Department will take place on 9 and 10 July 2005. The reunion gets going with a 'Walk of Fame' ceremony on Saturday, 9 July.
Every former drama student will have the chance to acquire undying fame in cement at the new Scaena Theatre. On Saturday evening a social function for Alumni will be held in the UFS' new Centenary Complex. On Sunday morning there will be a performance of 'Aasvoëls' in the Rehearsal Room. Thereafter, alumni will get the opportunity to enjoy an exciting campus tour. Lunch will be enjoyed at Traumerai at the new Student Centre. On Sunday evening, Alumni will enjoy 'Zollie', after which the weekend will be concluded with a soup and wine function.
If you are interested in attending this once off reunion, contact Hanli Dalton at daltonh.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za or 084 522 7836. Alumni that need to stay overnight can make use of UFS residence accommodation.
Absa Kovsie Mastercard Credit Card
The Absa Kovsie MasterCard Credit Card is exclusively for Kovsie graduates, is internationally accepted, has an affordable credit limit and up to 55 days interest-free credit. Apply for your card via the Internet at www.absa.co.za or contact Jacques at (051) 401-0758.
“Vigs het nie 'n voorkeur vir ras, geslag of ouderdom nie. Tot direkteure van organisasies kry vigs.” Dit is die woorde van dr. Petro Basson, die Direkteur van die Sentrum vir Lewensvaardighede by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat.
Haar ervaring van besighede in die Vrystaat is dat meeste besighede bewustelik of onbewustelik verkies om die probleem te ignoreer. “Mense verkies om nie betrokke te raak nie. Hulle is moeg om van vigs te hoor en word ook dikwels uitgebuit tydens opleidingsprogramme.” Die groot probleem met opleidingsprogramme is dat besighede geld spandeer om dit by te woon, maar dan geen ondersteuning agterna ontvang nie. “Hulle voel hulle gooi hulle geld weg en wil niks met vigs te doen hê nie.”
Die feit is, volgens Basson, dat almal deur vigs geraak word. Sy beklemtoon dat opleiding vir werkers noodsaaklik is. “Die opleiding moet verder strek as net die blote feite. Daar moet ook raad gegee word oor kommunikasie-vaardighede, verhoudingsvaardighede en biologiese feite.”
Werkgewers se pligte teenoor hulle werkers behels dat hulle 'n werknemerprogram oor vigs behoort te loods. “Dit is noodsaaklik om stigmatisering af te breek en mense te leer om positief en openlik met hulle status saam te leef.” Hoofaspekte wat uit vigswetgewing na vore kom is dat geen werknemer verplig kan word om 'n MIV-toets af te lê nie. Daar mag ook geensins teen werkers gediskrimineer word omdat hulle MIV-positief is nie.
Die korrekte manier om vigs in die werksplek aan te spreek is om bestuur op te lei sodat hulle bewus is van al die kwessies rondom vigs. 'n Komitee moet dan uit die werkers gekies word wat verantwoordelik is vir alle vigsprogramme in die werksplek.
Vir meer inligting oor vigs in die werksplek kan dr. Basson gekontak word by 051-401 2529/2603.
Moruti Anders Göranzon - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Batho
Everyone would agree that we always have different relationships at the working place. Some would call them colleagues! Others would say, workmates! Some of us have seniors, others are in a leading role. We may have relations to customers. In a hospital we call them patients. Others are serving clients or pupils. It is like a big network!
When these relations work well it is easy to do the job. But sometimes we encounter problems. The other person doesn't understand what I am trying to say. She or he seems to dislike the way I am doing things. Often it is a question of communication. I am trying to say something, but the message is not well received.
Sometimes we manage to solve these conflicts. Blessed is the working place where the atmosphere is open enough to allow workmates to talk with one another. Where the senior is not afraid to deal with conflicts in a constructive manner. But more than once the opposite happens: problems are neglected! We don't talk with one another but rather behind each other's backs. In this way a small thing can become an ongoing problem for years.
There are no shortcuts to solve this. There is always a moment, which could be described as “point of no return” when you have to speak to somebody about what is going on. It is not an easy task. But we all know: It has to be done! I wish you courage to do that, whether you are in a junior or a senior position. And I hope that you can do it with respect for the other person!
Lastly I would like to mention a very important relationship in the working place. Your relation to God! God is present in the working place! God is there in any difficult situation! God is there, when there is a communication problem. First talk to God! Explain what is going on. Try to be honest and see your own shortcomings. Ask God to give you love for that other person. When this has been done, you will still have to face that “point of no return”: but now you will be better off! After the encounter, turn to God again. With thanksgiving and with prayer for further strength! May God bless you!
·For more info, contact Industrial Ministry at 051 448 4584 or 083 288 6864 or sending@ngkerkovs.co.za
Combining infrastructural upgrading with socio-economic development
In October 2001 the Free State Dept. of Local Government and Housing requested Ninham Shand Consultants to assist with the identification of a possible upliftment project in conjunction with the Mangaung Local Municipality and to submit a business plan to this end.
Subsequently in discussions, Mangaung LM indicated the need to accelerate economic development in the former disadvantaged areas of Mangaung and Heidedal by upgrading and broadening Dr. Belcher Road and its extensions as the existing access road network between these areas and the rest of Bloemfontein. In particular the narrow winding road and two relatively low overhead rail bridges caused a traffic bottleneck, with the rail bridges allowing only trucks with restricted height to pass underneath.
The outcome of resultant investigations was a decision to broaden and upgrade the access road network, to increase the height under the newly planned railway bridge by lowering the road surface underneath and to remove the other existing concrete structured railway bridge completely, having become obsolete anyway. A pedestrian bridge over Dr. Belcher Road is also part of the plan. At the same time an economic activity corridor was to be created along the access road network by inter alia erecting customized and modern hawker stands.
Thus the entire Dr. Belcher Road Upgrading Project was utilised to create specific socio-economic spin-offs such as enhancing economic development, creating job opportunities, facilitating access to public transport, improving physical urban environment and raising pedestrian and vehicle safety.
Following the adoption of a Business and Action Plan, Ninham Shand were appointed as project consultants in February 2002 and a Project Liaison Committee, including members of the local community, was established.
Why Mangaung Activity Corridor?
The street network connecting to Dr. Belcher Road, viz. Mkuhlane, Brits, Ramatsoele and Moshoeshoe Streets in Mangaung, has such high access use, that it lends itself excellently to be developed into an Activity Corridor - hence the idea of the Mangaung Activity Corridor.
The specific existing advantages making the development of the Mangaung Activity Corridor desirable and viable, can be summed up as follows:
Dr. Belcher Road has always been the primary access road from the Bloemfontein CBD into the Mangaung area with some commercial ventures next to it.
The connecting network is situated approximately in the middle of Mangaung and therefore has excellent accessibility characteristics.
The network of Mkuhlane, Brits, Ramatsoele and Moshoeshoe Streets is fed from both sides by high-capacity traffic distributor roads, namely Church Street and the Dewetsdorp Road.
Apart from private traffic, the corridor is already the major public transport route in the Mangaung area.
Some commercial developments on an informal scale already exist along the corridor in question.
Thus huge development potential awaits should this Activity Corridor be brought to its full potential.
Upgrading in two phases
The upgrading of Dr. Belcher Road and connecting network and the establishment of the Mangaung Activity Corridor takes place in two phases.
Phase 1 entails the upgrading of Dr. Belcher Road and the construction of new bridges, viz. the construction of a new railway bridge and a pedestrian bridge and the widening of the existing single-carriage way of Dr Belcher Road to a double-carriage way with centre island and adequate street lighting. The contract for Phase 1 was awarded on 7 January 2005 and is expected to be completed in February 2006 at an estimated cost of R30,4 million.
Phase 2 entails the upgrading of Mkuhlane, Brits, Ramatsoele and Moshoeshoe Streets by the provision of centre island and raised pedestrian crossings, the paving of sidewalks, the development of hawker stalls and bus shelters, the improvement of street lighting and the planting of trees. Phase 2 was awarded on 21 January 2004 and the contract was successfully completed on 16 November 2004 at a cost of R6,24 million.
Thus Phase 2 has already been completed and the Project Team is currently busy completing Phase 1.
In this special focus on the Dr. Belcher Upgrading Project and establishment of the Mangaung Activity Corridor, the consultants and contractors implementing this ingenious project are also featured. Notable about them is the high element of local economic empowerment contained in the companies themselves. That is apart from the job creation, the entrepreneurship and the benefits to residents being generated by the project.
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