Partners, researchers, law and policymakers at the 4^th annual Free State research colloquium.  From left: Free State MEC for Education, Mr Tate Makgoe; Rwanda's Ambassador to SA, Vincent Karega; MMC for Finance of the Moqhaka Municipality, Mr Rachere Moletsane; Executive Mayor of Phumelela Local Municipality, Cllr Tlokotsi John Motaung; MEC for Finance, Ms Gadija Brown; Executive Mayor of Ngwathe Local Municipality Cllr Joey Mochela; Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation, and Engagement; and Acting Premier and MEC for Agriculture, Mr Kwekwe Bulwane.

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) together with the Free State Provincial Government co-hosted the 4^th annual research colloquium from 18 and 19 September 2019. The colloquium is one of CUT’s efforts to bring government, private sector, higher education institutions and the community together to create a platform where challenging issues and viable research solutions can be discussed to bring sustainable economic development and growth in the province and the country. It also aims to bridge the gap between research, practitioner’s lawmakers and policymakers. The colloquium convened under the theme “Good governance practices with special focus on ICT, service delivery and youth empowerment.”

In his welcoming address, Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that CUT is honoured to partner and take hands with Free State Provincial Government on the colloquium to enhance the research agenda in the province and bring solutions to the socio-economic challenges faced. He further said that youth as future leaders of the country should be empowered and offered an environment that will allow them to unlock their creativity. “I am grateful for this partnership to develop an innovation hub that will make a difference in the lives of our young people and ensure that they develop proper and viable businesses for job creation in the country. There was a tendency that research would be done on the community instead of doing it with them and for us as a university, the impact of what we are doing should be noticeable on the society.”

The Acting Premier and MEC for Agriculture, Mr Kwekwe William Bulwane, said that good governance needs to be understood, managed and lead change efficiently. “We need to see all of you gathered here participating not only on your academic work but also on public debates and tackle topics such as expropriation of land without compensation and the National Health Insurance. Research has the potential to address and develop a scientific approach to deal with social ills, including a better and efficient approach to service delivery. Interdisciplinary research remains the cornerstone of more collaboration work and allows you, as scientists, to work together and exchange knowledge. We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that changes the way we work, live and relate to each other and we must observe and explore the fourth phase of this industrial revolution.”

“We are living on borrowed time, and you as scholars, scientists and researchers have the potential to steer and drive our communities to live better with your discoveries. We wish you all fruitful deliberations that will impact positively in our province and the country at large. Let’s all build the Free State we want.” 

Ambassador Vincent Karega from Rwanda said that he is inspired and impressed by the leadership, patriotism and the willingness to be and do different and have an impact in the province. “I heard that South Africans are good and growing in criticising themselves, undermining and complaining as if tomorrow is the end of the world. I want to reassure you that this country is beautiful and has more than what it needs. The people of this country, especially those in leadership need to do more differently and rapidly to correct the problems of inequality, unemployment, and poverty in this sea of wealth.”

 He said that Rwanda was the worst country 25 years ago, but now it was the poorest, small and highly populated with very hilly difficult terrain and no petrol or platinum, “but as I stand here I am so proud when I hear everybody talking about clean and growing Rwanda. Let’s change and account for what we do, let’s cut on expenditure, and focus on the real things, let us use the 4^th industrial revolution and come up with a viable solution that can bring change to this country. I don’t like to see South Africa Cry because South Africa is not a small country; it is a beautiful country with resources.”