What started with algae growing in a backyard koi pond ended with Denica Swartz being named South Africa's Top Junior Scientist. With guidance from mentors at the UFS, the Grade 8 pupil explored a scientific question that would earn recognition at science fairs. Read how curiosity, science, and a little help led to an extraordinary result. Read more: ufsweb.co/4z7cZo1

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱. Prof Theo du Plessis, Emeritus Professor of Language Management and Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, has been elected to the Council of the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns. He brings expertise in language policy, language rights and multilingualism to the academy’s national governing body. Read more: ufsweb.co/3VP06QR #KnowledgeForChange #UFSImpact #ResearchLed

The University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with Lancaster University, brings 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 21𝒔𝒕 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒚: 𝑨 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆 to South Africa for the first time. Featuring powerful photographs from an international competition and contributions from photographers around the world, the exhibition highlights the human cost of witchcraft accusations and associated harmful practices. It seeks to raise awareness of the resulting human rights violations, challenge harmful practices, and encourage dialogue on protecting vulnerable communities. Venue: Equitas Auditorium, UFS Bloemfontein Campus Public exhibition: 29 October to mid-December 2026 The exhibition is open to students, staff, and members of the public. Visit the exhibition to engage with this important human rights issue and reflect on the impact of witchcraft accusations on individuals and communities. Please note that the official launch on 28 October is an invitation-only event. #UFSLaw #HumanRights #UniversityOfTheFreeState

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. The University of the Free State's Sexual Offence Response Team (SORT) brings together university departments to coordinate reporting, support, and institutional responses to sexual misconduct and gender-based violence. From awareness campaigns across all three campuses to counselling, referrals, and disciplinary processes, SORT works to ensure that staff and students know where to find assistance. Find out how SORT works, what support is available, and how we can all contribute to a safer university community. Need assistance? Call 051 401 7777 during office hours or the after-hours toll-free line on 0800 204 682. Students can also contact the UFS Student Careline on 0800 00 6363. Sexual misconduct has no place in our university community. #UniversityOfTheFreeState #UFSImpact #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

The University of the Free State Faculty of Health Sciences and the Carl and Emily Fuchs Foundation have launched a four-year, R4 million scholarship partnership to support postgraduate students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. This is a major boost for postgraduate medical students coming from the so-called missing middle category. Launched at the Faculty of Health Sciences on 20 October, the initiative aims to ease the financial pressures faced by postgraduate students, enabling them to focus on their studies and research while developing solutions to health-care challenges. The first 10 recipients were selected from 44 applications, with 18 candidates shortlisted for interviews. The total grant for year 1 will amount to R1 000 000. This will ensure that recipients’ financial needs are met, including but not limited, to tuition and research expenses. Read more: ufsweb.co/4yYJ69j #ExcellenceInEducation #LeadingWithImpact #StudentCentred

Academic success is a desirable outcome for students as well as the entire university community. However, it becomes a major challenge when illness, ailments and diseases become an unexpected threat to academic success. At times South African students battle with financial challenges, deadlines, and threats of academic exclusion. Thus, the last thing they want to deal with is something they have no control over, such as a chronic illness, may which interfere with their academic progress. For many students, chronic illness can manifest as fatigue, constant pain, or regular hospital visits. This is the daily battle of their reality. Chronic illnesses significantly affect students’ academic success in higher education. As such, institutions should go above and beyond to accommodate and support such students, writes UFS’ Tshepiso Lekanyane and Dr Sello Sele. Read more: ufsweb.co/4js4xL4 #AcademicSuccess #StudentSuccess #StudentSuccessUFS

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. From historic victories and record-breaking performances to leadership, resilience and lasting sporting legacies, the 2026 University of the Free State (UFS) Sports Awards celebrated the people and achievements that continue to shape KovsieSport. With approximately 90 nominees, the evening honoured the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, sporting legends, administrators and alumni who continue to make the University proud. As we celebrate how far we have come, we look ahead to a future driven by excellence, opportunity and the development of champions on the field, in the classroom and in life. Read more: ufsweb.co/4yzF3PN #UniversityoftheFreeState #KovsieSport #KovsieSportAwards2026 #SportsExcellence

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀? At the University of the Free State, a celebration of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal uncovered stories of handwritten word cards, the people who devoted their careers to documenting Afrikaans, and a project that is finally approaching its last letter. Read more: ufsweb.co/4yZz1ZP

Every election season, parties are in the market to ‘buy’ votes. It is the one currency every citizen holds in equal measure. A billionaire and a pensioner each get one, and parties spend heavily on it, with posters, songs, rallies, promises and famous faces. But to sustain its performative culture, politics continually borrows glamour. Whether 4 November confirms a durable realignment or only a turbulent coalition era, the municipal polls have become the arena in which South Africa’s post-liberation settlement is being renegotiated. Voting through the ballot is the currency that funds it all. An unspent vote buys nothing and leaves the bargaining to those who did spend theirs. The ballot is only the upload. Governance is the submission, and the confirmation is what citizens feel when the tap runs. Spend your vote and spend it wisely! Read more: ufsweb.co/4yZIhx2 #LocalGovernmentElectionsn#Opinion #Vote

Leadership and a commitment to learning have earned Samkelo Mngomezulu, Chairperson of the Black Management Forum at the University of the Free State, national recognition in the Momentum Motheo Financial Education Programme. After successfully completing the programme, he was named the Free State provincial winner and achieved third place nationally, demonstrating how opportunities in financial literacy and entrepreneurship can empower students to create meaningful impact beyond the classroom. Read more: ufsweb.co/4i8Dq5y @MomentumGroupZA #ProudlyKovsies #BeyondTheClassroom #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

The University of the Free State's International Institute of the Arts has appointed internationally recognised artist, ecologist, and educational sociologist Dr Dylan McGarry as Artist-in-Residence from November 2026. His residency will explore the intersections of artistic practice, ecological justice, storytelling, and transdisciplinary research. Read more: ufsweb.co/4i5Xu8l #UniversityOfTheFreeState #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ProudlyKovsies

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 The University of the Free State (UFS) extends its warm congratulations to distinguished South African jurist and human rights champion Justice Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. This prestigious recognition honours her lifelong commitment to justice, human rights, human dignity, and the advancement of international law. Her remarkable contribution is a powerful reminder of the importance of principled leadership, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights. Justice Pillay’s legacy serves as an inspiration to young people and future generations, affirming the role of education, courage, and conviction in building a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. The University celebrates this exceptional achievement and joins South Africans and the global community in recognising her enduring contribution to humanity. #NobelPeacePrize #HumanRights #Justice #UniversityOfTheFreeState

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 On Friday 16 October 2026, the Student Wellness and Advocacy Office hosted a Gender Diversity Roundtable Discussion on the Qwaqwa Campus, connectingstudents with Rainbow Seeds and the Aurum Institute. Through open and meaningful conversations, participants explored understanding, tolerance, and acceptance, championing a campus culture where differences are respected, identities are valued, and everyone belongs. Together, we are building a more inclusive campus where diversity is celebrated, and respect unites us all. #QwaqwaCampus #UFS #EmbraceDiversity #InclusionMatters

South Africa has crossed a painful fuel-price threshold. Petrol 95 unleaded now costs R30.25 a litre inland and R29.38 at the coast, over R1 500 to fill a 50-litre tank. In March, petrol was about R20.30. In seven months, the price has risen by nearly half. Demands for government action are understandable, but another broad fuel-levy cut would be expensive and poorly targeted. The priority must be protecting households least able to absorb the shock. Fuel affects almost everyone, taxi and bus fares, food transport, inflation, interest rates and household budgets. Petrol rose 12,4% in a single month, from R26.92 to R30.25 inland. The effects spread predictably: first the fuel line in CPI and illuminating paraffin (up R4.77 to R31.82 a litre); then, within one to two months, minibus taxi and bus fares; then, over two to four months, food and goods, because diesel above R33 a litre wholesale feeds into every truck, tractor and delivery van. In South Africa, almost everything travels by road, writes UFS’ Dr Eugene Buthelezi. Read more: ufsweb.co/4B7rLfW #Opinion #HighFuelPrice #FullTankEmptyWallet

𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. During a UFS Business School masterclass, RUFORUM Executive Secretary Prof Patrick Okori highlighted how entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration can unlock opportunities across agricultural value chains, food systems, finance, and technology. He also called on African universities to play a stronger role in business incubation and enterprise development. Read more here: ufsweb.co/3WpzC8t @RUFORUM #UniversityOfTheFreeState #UFSBusinessSchool #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

University of the Free State (UFS) Pharmacology of traditional medicine expert, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, has been appointed to an independent Steering Committee from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) that will guide the implementation of the first phase of the encompassing African Bio-Innovation Institute (ABII). Prof Matsabisa, Research Director of the African Medicines Innovations and Technologies Development (AMITD) Platform at UFS, is one of 11 members appointed to the committee by the DSTI. The committee brings together expertise from across the research and innovation sector. Eight members are drawn from universities and science councils, while the industry, Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME), and traditional healing sectors are each represented by one member. Read more: ufsweb.co/4s0SZAJ #KnowledgeForChange #LeadingWithImpact #TransformingTomorrow

A working day can look ordinary. You wake up, come to work, do what needs to be done, and go home. Then, one day, you look back and realise you have done that for 25, 30, 35 or even 40 years. That is what the University of the Free State’s 2026 Recognition of Service Awards celebrated on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Together, the staff members honoured represent 1 610 years of service across academic, professional, support, and service roles. They have taught, researched, assisted, managed, maintained, cleaned, cared, and kept things moving, day after day. And when you add all those years together, you begin to appreciate just how much time, skill, and life have been given to this University. We celebrate them, recognise them, and, above all, thank them. #ProudlyKovsies #KovsieCare #UniversityOfTheFreeState

He grew up herding cattle in the rural villages of the Eastern Cape. Today, Lizalise Jabe is studying agriculture at the UFS, running a small livestock enterprise, and creating work for two young people while he studies. Now nominated for Student of the Year in Agriculture at the 2026 South African Agricultural Awards,@agri_awards he has a bigger idea in mind: using agriculture to tackle food insecurity, create opportunities, and give young people a reason to believe in their future. Read more: ufsweb.co/4yF6WXz #UniversityOfTheFreeState #StudentSuccess #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

The University of the Free State’s Prof Thuthukile Jita has called for South Africa to move beyond simply connecting learners and teachers to technology, arguing that meaningful digital transformation requires an education system that is equitable, resilient, and socially just. In her Inaugural Lecture, ‘Beyond the Digital Divide: Reimagining Curriculum and Teacher Education for a Digital South Africa’, Prof Jita reflected on her personal and scholarly journey. Read more: ufsweb.co/4j9VAWI #UniversityofFreeState #ResponsibleSocietalFutures