The visit, facilitated by Head of the Service-Learning Directorate within the UFS Directorate for Community Engagement Dr Karen Venter, included two-day engagements on the QwaQwa Campus and three days on the Bloemfontein Campus.
QwaQwa training
In QwaQwa, the THRV Short Learning Programme (SLP) was presented to civil society organisations and staff from the Centre for Gender and African Studies.
Left, UFS Faculty of Theology together with Mandela representatives and right, the group from Mandela University Lehlohonolo Molahlehi, Phaello Thlaku, Rev. Jocobus Nomdoe, Prof Veonna Goliath, Dr Bruce Damons and Nompilo Makamu
ACCESS UFS hosted the programme on the Bloemfontein Campus, which students and staff from the Faculty of Theology and Religion, Student Wellness and community engagement practitioners attended.
Reverend Jacobus Nomdoe (THRV) and Mandela University Social Work Development Professor Veonna Goliath facilitated the programme, which enabled participants to co-construct institutional and community substance abuse action plans for implementation within their own contexts.
The workshops reinforced THRV's community-based approach, which emphasises collaborative leadership, shared responsibility and locally driven solutions.
A meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, Prof John Klaasen explored the next phase of collaboration between UFS and the THRV National Collaboration.
Discussions focused on linking the Faculty's international work on Hope with THRV's community-centred understanding of hope; strengthening faith-based responses to substance abuse; expanding the THRV Short Learning Programme through the Shepherds Centre; and developing collaborative scholarship that connects theology, community engagement and societal wellbeing.
Reflecting on the engagements, the facilitators emphasised the strong partnerships between the QwaQwa Campus and its community collaborators, as well as the remarkable sense of hope demonstrated by participants despite significant social challenges. The students’ enthusiasm to lead responses to substance abuse through THRV's carefronting approach, which combines compassionate care with courageous accountability, was also emphasised.
Bloemfontein training
The visit further demonstrates Nelson Mandela University's commitment to building national partnerships that integrate teaching, research and community engagement to address complex societal challenges.
The emerging collaboration with the University of the Free State represents another important milestone in the expansion of the THRV National Collaboration and its shared commitment to restoring hope, strengthening communities and generating socially responsive knowledge.