Faculty of the Humanities, UFS

01/10/2026

What happens when a woman challenges the entrenched rules of African patriarchy? To learn more about this discussion, please join the Department of English for the next presentation in their annual Speaker Series. Dr Ophilia A. Abianji-Menang (University of Maroua, Cameroon) is the invited speaker.

Date: 08 October 2026
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
MS Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/394540074338159?p=4m0OciqfAP4adBjfwm

30/09/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈?

AI is changing the way we study, conduct research and work. But what does this mean for the Humanities?

Join the Faculty of the Humanities AI Colloquium V as we discuss the use of AI in assessments, research and the world of work.

Date: 09 October 2026
Venue: Multifunctional Room 2 | Sasol Library Level 4
RSVP: [email protected]

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/328241561761436?p=cMD11CmtUN47lKcdp5

𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uRv8jg-5SEq_bLoGhhk7gJr6lxpJgzpPrhEP9jTO-ylUMUNaVVNVUFA5N0dDMDVCOFlGWkIySE1FVS4u

21/09/2026

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛

The Faculties of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of the Free State, the University of Zululand, and the National University of Lesotho are currently hosting the 2nd Women Researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences Conference, running until Wednesday.

Under the theme "𝐿𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠: 𝑅𝑒 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑎 𝑏𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑡𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑙𝑜ℎ𝑎 (𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑏)", women scholars have gathered for rich conversations on lactation politics, women's rights, gander-based violence, toxic masculinity, feminism, womanism, mentorship, and more.

The dialogue is still unfolding. Follow along for highlights.

18/09/2026

As rain poured down today, it felt like a reflection of the tears shed by women, families, and communities affected by femicide and gender-based violence in South Africa.

The University of the Free State community came together in solidarity to mourn the lives lost and to honour the women and girls whose lives have been tragically cut short. Staff and students gathered for a candlelight vigil, organised by the the Department of Philosophy and Classics in collaboration with the Student Governance Office, united in remembrance, compassion and a shared call for an end to femicide and gender-based violence.

At the heart of the vigil were students and staff standing together as one, raising their voices and saying: Enough is is enough.

18/09/2026

Please note that there has been a change to the venue and time for the Bloemfontein Campus candlelight vigil taking place today, Friday 18 September.

The gathering will now take place at Mooimeisiesfontein (next to the Main Gate) at 13:00.

We apologise for the short notice and any inconvenience this change may cause. We encourage staff and students to continue showing their support and solidarity as we come together to remember those affected by gender-based violence and femicide.

17/09/2026

17/09/2026

Join the Department of Philosophy and Classics for a Candlelight Vigil in solidarity against femicide and gender-based violence.

Together, we will honour the lives of women lost to femicide and gender-based violence, stand with survivors and affected communities, and raise our voices to say: Enough is enough.

Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 13:00
Place: In Front of the Main Building

15/09/2026

The Centre for Gender and Africa Studies hosted an engaging book launch and panel discussion on 101 Local Government Lessons from the Great Governance ZA Podcast by Dr Harlan Cloete.

The discussion explored the current state of municipalities and highlighted valuable lessons that can be drawn from the experiences of other municipalities to strengthen local governance.

14/09/2026

BA in South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies student Keabetswe Lehlaleroa has been nominated for Junior Sign Language Student of the Year at the 2nd Annual South African Voiceover Awards, presented by the Voiceover Factory.

Keabetswe is proudly flying the UFS flag high and showcasing the incredible talent and potential of our students.

14/09/2026

MA in History student Awethu Mhlongo and Associate Professor Jared McDonald proudly represented the University of the Free State at the ‘Dutch Slavery Pasts and Their Afterlives’ symposium at the University of the Western Cape.

History matters, and UFS scholars are helping keep these important conversations alive.

UFS historians Prof Jared McDonald and MA student Awethu Mhlongo contributed to critical conversations on the enduring legacies of Dutch slavery at the ‘Dutch Slavery Pasts and Their Afterlives’ symposium at the University of the Western Cape. The symposium brought scholars together to explore memory, identity, erasure, representation, and the relevance of historical experiences to contemporary society.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4gWo3MJ