Postgraduate Celebration and Book Launch 2026

On 16 April 2026, our Department hosted a two-part celebration - to launch two books and to congratulate our postgraduate students.

Our head of department, Prof Annalene van Staden, served as host. The event was opened by Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies. He was then followed by the two authors, who spoke about their books:

• Prof Theo du Plessis: Van tegniek tot ampstaal: Die opkoms van Suid-Afrikaanse Gebaretaal as 12de amptelike taal van Suid-Afrika. (2025) Johannesburg: UJ Press.
• Prof Johan Moll: “Ons laat tale werk”: Geskiedenis van die Eenheid vir Taalfasilitering en Taalbemagtiging aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, 1992-2018. (2025). Johannesburg: UJ Press.

Our Masters students and their supervisors were introduced by Prof Van Staden. (See photos from the graduation here.) Kirsten de Villiers, Anele Kotoyi and Renatha van Reenen talked about their research and their experience. Afterwards, Prof Sethulego Matebesi, Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies, offered a word of congratulations. Thubalethu Maseko received the award for the best honours student.

Mrs. Martie Miranda, Deputy Director: Kovsie Support Services, presented on the role of the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support in supporting students at the UFS.

Read more about the official evolution of SASL here: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/april/when-recognition-is-not-enough--ufs-books-spotlight-sasl-s-journey-to-official-status