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18 April 2018
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Gerda Steyn, former Kovsie student and winner of the Two Oceans ultramarathon this year, with her trophy.
Gerda Steyn, female winner of this year’s Two Oceans ultramarathon, says her life has changed for the better in a very short time.
The former Kovsie received an invitation to a world-renowned marathon at the end of the year. She may not reveal the details yet.
Steyn, who studied Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) between 2009 and 2012, was just the third South African to win the Two Oceans since 1994. Her time of 3:39:31 was the second-best in the past seven years. For many she was a surprise winner because she didn’t compete last year and only managed a 14th place in 2016.
“Things really took off since the race (in Cape Town at the end of March). I received a lot of exposure. People say you must try and win the race, but they don’t tell you what will happen after that with all the media attention.
“My next goal is the Comrades for which I started training in the third week of April. I will only decide on my specific goals for the race two weeks beforehand.” She obtained a fourth place last year.
According to Steyn, who is a full-time athlete, she only did a couple of cross country races while she was studying.
“I played a bit of soccer and hockey for my hostel (Soetdoring). I have very fond memories from my university days. A couple of our hostel friends had a reunion after the race in Cape Town and had reason to have a big party.”
Alleged attacks on students
2008-03-12
The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) notes with concern the two alleged incidents of attacks on students on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein
The one incident involves two black female students where a liquid substance was thrown at the students and the other incident involves an alleged attack on a black male student by white male students.
According to reports in the media today (Tuesday, 11 March 2008), the incidents involved students from the Reitz Residential Units. “These incidents, which happened about a month ago, occurred in the vicinity of Reitz, but at this stage I cannot say for certain that students from Reitz were involved in the alleged attacks,” says Dr Natie Luyt, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS.
Both cases were reported to Dr Luyt and are being investigated by the university’s Protection Services Division. The cases are still under investigation.
“I am concerned about incidents of this nature and strongly disapprove of students behaving in such a manner,” says Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
According to Prof. Fourie the UFS already is in the process of reviewing the disciplinary process for students to make it more streamlined and accessible. “The introduction of a hotline to give students the opportunity to report incidents is being considered. We are also looking at the possibility of appointing an ombudsman for diversity. The recent introduction of a system of full-time live-in residence wardens at men’s residences is also intended to improve supervision. This system will be in place shortly, as soon as the necessary accommodation has been provided,” says Prof. Fourie.
Prof. Fourie has urged students to report any unlawful incidents on campus immediately to the Protection Services Division. “If we do not have incidents on record, proper investigations cannot be conducted,” says Prof. Fourie.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za
11 March 2008