First-year students and their parents filled the red square in front of the University of the Free State’s main building to be welcomed to the institution.
SRC President, Katleho Lechoo, welcomed the new students. “Few things beat that indescribable feeling of opening your letter of acceptance to your favourite university; all of you are starting a great journey of discovery and we will be there every step of the way. You will find the going tough from time to time but it will all be worth it in the end,” said Lechoo.
Prof. Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, also welcomed the first years as well as their parents. “I just want to reassure you that we at the UFS have one of the best staff that you actually can get at a public institution.
Our staff are academic staff and support staff and they will support your child in the best of their ability.” Petersen inspired the students with the following advice: “You will have to navigate through this world with the specific skill you will have ascertained at the University of the Free State. It’s not going to be a straight forward world and therefore the skills of issues like emotional intelligence and working with teams are some the skills that you will be exposed to. You will have to make sure that you take advantage of that.”
Lara-marie Geldenhuys from Upington came to the UFS to study medicine. “I was very impressed with the welcoming and felt welcome form the first moment. It was an exciting experience and I especially liked the vibe. It already feels like home.” Lara-marie’s mother, Wilna, added, “I’m calm about the safety, I’m positive that she is going to be happy here, and I feel at ease with leaving her behind,” while her father GT.Geldenhuys said, “I’m happy with what I’m seeing here and I think Lara will make a success here.”
Michaela Abrahams from Kimberley, who’ll be studying communication science and technology, attended the event with her mother, Melanie Abrahams, who said, “At least it’s not so far from Kimberley but it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m actually very excited for her. It’s going to be a bit hard for her when we go back home, but we are happy and I know she will make a great success of it.”
“I was inspired by the leaders and all the other organisations that actually help those who are shy and it has increased my self-esteem. I’m more than ready to start studying law,” said Nkosazana Mrwetyan, who came with and her mother, Nosipho Mrwetyan.
Seithati Semenokane
