Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support - UFS

💙 Council Spotlight: Chipilika Duzeni Meet Chipilika Duzeni, a member of the Universal Access Student Council representing the QwaQwa Campus. Chipilika is a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science and is passionate about advocating for the rights, inclusion, and representation of students with disabilities. In addition to serving on the Universal Access Student Council, he is also a member of the Campus Student Parliament, where he represents the interests of persons with disabilities and works to ensure that their voices are heard in student leadership spaces.

Image Description: A Council Spotlight graphic features Chipilika Duzeni standing outdoors in a garden setting. He is wearing a red UFS-branded golf shirt and is looking slightly to the side while standing in front of trees and greenery. The graphic uses the UFS and CUADS colours of navy, red, and white, with the heading "Council Spotlight" displayed at the top and Chipilika's name prominently featured below his photograph. The UFS and CUADS logos appear at the bottom of the design.

Happy Youth Day, South Africa! Youth Day reminds us of the sacrifices made by the youth of 1976 and the responsibility we share to create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable future. Today, we celebrate the passion, leadership, and potential of young people who continue to drive positive change in our communities and beyond.

Image Description: A vibrant Youth Day graphic depicts a crowd of people gathered outdoors, raising their hands and waving South African flags against a golden sunset sky. The silhouettes of the crowd create a powerful sense of unity, celebration, and hope. The bold text "Happy Youth Day" appears at the top of the image, while the UFS and CUADS logos are displayed in the bottom comer. The image celebrates the spirit of South Africa's youth and their role in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.

2026

Our Generation. Our Future. The future is shaped by the young people of today. As we approach Youth Day, we celebrate the passion, resilience, and potential that exists within every student and young person. Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, succeed, and contribute to a future where everyone belongs.

Image Description: Two young students stand side by side, smiling at the camera and making the South African Sign Language gesture for "I love you." The student on the left is wearing a dark sweatshirt and beanie, while the student on the right is dressed in a black top and light blue jeans. Behind them is a colourful wall display, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. At the top of the graphic, the heading reads "Our Generation, Our Future", while a message at the bottom states, "Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed." The image celebrates youth empowerment, inclusion, and the potential of young people to shape a brighter future.

💙 Council Spotlight: Junior Obiechefu

Meet Junior Obiechefu, a student at the University of the Free State and the 2026 Cohort Leader for students with visual impairments.

As a cohort leader, Junior is passionate about championing inclusive leadership and ensuring that the voices of students with visual impairments are represented and heard across campus.

✨ Fun Fact: While many people his age enjoy the latest hits, Junior prefers old soulful music. Give him Reggae or classic R&B over Gen Z playlists any day!

Image Description: Council Spotlight graphic features Junior Obiechefu standing outdoors on a grassy area under a clear blue sky. He is wearing a red UFS-branded golf shirt and a wide-brimmed hat, smiling as he faces the camera. The design uses CUADS and UFS brand colours of navy, red, and white, with the heading "Council Spotlight" displayed at the top and Junior's name featured prominently below his photograph. The UFS and CUADS logos appear at the bottom of the graphic.

On Saturday, the CUADS Universal Access Council hosted a CUADS Study Marathon aimed at helping students prepare for the upcoming exam period. The study marathon ran from 19:00 to 07:00, with students showing determination, resilience, and commitment throughout the night.

Congratulations to the last students standing:
🥇 Nonsikelelo Ngema (middle)
🥈 Tshepang Motaung (left)
🥉 Amahle Jemane (right)

Standing proudly behind them are Council Members:
• Thandolwethu Thwala – Hearing Impairments Cohort
• Emma Senyakanyaka – Learning Difficulties Cohort
• Molipa Masoetsa – Mobility Impairment Cohort

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the initiative. Wishing all our students success for the upcoming exams ✨

On 21 May CUADS joined the Law student association (Legal Behemoth Moot Court) for a “Different, not less” session. Sharing their lived experiences were Junior Obechiefu (partially sighted) and Magdelene Mothapo (learning difficulty) proving resilience and no lack of ability to perform academically. We appreciated the wonderful presentation by their Chairperson on how we should deal with disability matters with the same energy we spent on issues of race and gender and Kwasile for her professional public relations and arrangements.

CUADS was proud to be part of the UFS Open Day in Gauteng on 23 May, engaging with prospective students and sharing information about student support and accessibility at UFS.

A collage highlights CUADS participating in the UFS Open Day in Gauteng on 23 May. The top image shows the CUADS information table set up with branded banners, promotional materials, mugs, notebooks, and water bottles prepared to welcome prospective students and visitors. The bottom images capture members of the CUADS team engaging with attendees, sharing information about support services and accessibility at UFS. Team members are seen interacting with visitors, smiling, and creating a welcoming and energetic atmosphere throughout the event.

Road trip to Gauteng! The team travelled to the UFS Gauteng Open Day, making a halfway stop at The Fat Butcher in Ventersburg along the way.

Pictured in front are Martie Miranda and Junior Obiechefu (Student Assistant), with Sammy Mofokeng (Sign Language Interpreter) and Katleho Talane (CUADS Intern) at the back. A great journey filled with teamwork, excitement, and shared purpose as we connected with future students and showcased the support available through CUADS. ✨

A reminder to check in with yourself 💙 Mental well-being is an important part of student success, balance, and everyday life. Take time to rest, reflect, and reach out for support when needed.

The image showcases wooden letter tiles arranged on a deep red background spell out the words “MENTAL WELL BEING.” The UFS and CUADS logos appear in the bottom corner of the image. The simple and clean design highlights the importance of mental wellness and student support.

QwaQwa Campus Open Day ✨
On 16 May, CUADS joined the QwaQwa Campus Open Day to engage with prospective students and showcase the support services available to help students succeed.

From left to right: Chipilika Duzeni, Council Member for CUADS at QwaQwa Campus, the intern for the Director of Student Affairs Office, and Tiro Gorewang, SRC Universal Access, standing together during the QwaQwa Campus Open Day. The group represents student leadership, support, and inclusion at UFS.