“We welcome the appointment, as the SRC, we know that he is the right man for the job. He had been acting in the position for a while and we feel that the department needed stability. We believe he has what it takes to stabilise the department and take it to where it needs to be,” says Asive Dlanjwa, SRC President.

Jita’s appointment was approved during the UFS Councils quarterly meeting held on the Bloemfontein Campus on 17 November 2017.

In a statement released by the university, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, says he is looking forward to working with the newly appointed dean.

“Prof Jita has a strong academic background and a good understanding of the higher education sector. I’m looking forward to working with him and to realise the vision of the university as a research-led, student-centred and regionally engaged university that contributes to development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge,” he says.

Jita has been acting in the position since January 2017 and will assume the position of Dean of the Faculty of Education on 1 December 2017.

“It is indeed a privilege for me to lead a team of committed teachers and researchers in the faculty, providing excellent service to our undergraduate and postgraduate students. I thank the council and executive management for their trust in me,” says Prof. Jita. 

Bloemfontein Courant/Seithati Semenokane