Academic Activities


 
Undergraduate Studies

 
Postgraduate Studies

Creating teaching materials

Lecturers from the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies record professional teaching content for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The recordings take place in a studio environment with the support of Deaf students who participate in demonstrations and signing dialogues. Professional editing is provided by the IdeasLab team from the South Campus, thereby contributing to high-quality learning resources for South African Sign Language teaching and learning. Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-the-free-state-department-of-sasl-and-ds-92096537a_highereducation-learningdesign-studentsuccess-activity-7422609242009964544-IcTy

 

 

New staff and our SASL Lab

On the left: Nthabiseng Mofokeng (in front) is our new Language Facilitator. In the back, from left to right, are our Deaf Departmental Student Assistants: Phuthego Mashilo, Sisipho Danisa, Thandolwethu Thwala, Amahle Jemane, Puleng Mhlambi and Khumbulani Nyandeni. They will assist with conversational classes and other departmental duties. Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-the-free-state-department-of-sasl-and-ds-92096537a_southafricansignlanguage-sasl-deafeducation-share-7448338953495048193-eFNA.

On the right: Our SASL Lab opened on 17 April 2026. Students can socialise and practice their SASL skills with our new Deaf Student Assistants on Fridays between 09:00 and 12:00.

 

 

Prize-giving 2026

On 13 April 2026, the following students were awarded at the academic prize-giving function:

  • Best first-year student 2025 (DSASLDS) – Thandolwethu Thwala
  • Best second-year student 2025 (DSASLDS) – Merike Venter
  • Best third-year student 2025 (DSASLDS) – Nhlanhla Simelane

On the photo, from left to right: Annemarie le Roux (lecturer), Thandolwethu Thwala (first-year winner), Nhlanhla Simelane (third-year winner), Kirsten de Villiers (lecturer).

 

April Graduation 2026

Two of our Masters students graduated on 16 April 2026. Read more about our postgraduate celebration here.

Anele Kotoyi (middle) was supervised by Prof Theo du Plessis (left) and Jani de Lange (right). Her dissertation explored language policy development for SASL, a timely investigation in light of the officialisation of the language.

 

With the support of her supervisors, Donovan Wright and Prof Theo du Plessis (left), Renatha van Reenen (right) completed her dissertation in the medium of SASL - and became our first Deaf student to graduate with a Masters degree.

 


 
 
 
 

FACULTY CONTACT

T: +27 51 401 2240 or humanities@ufs.ac.za

Postgraduate:
Marizanne Cloete: +27 51 401 2592

Undergraduate:
Katlego Mabulana: +27 51 401 2495
Juanita Hlongwane: +27 51 401 3269

Humanities photo next to contact block

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