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04 April 2018 Photo SASCOC
Large Kovsie contingent at Commonwealth Games
Elmé de Villiers (badminton) is one of several former or current Kovsies who will be in action at the Commonwealth Games between 5 and 15 April.

The University of the Free State (UFS) will be well represented at the Commonwealth Games with 11 current or former Kovsies participating in Australia.

The Games take place from 5 to 15 April on the Gold Coast. For many of the sporting codes, this is the second biggest sporting stage after the Olympic Games.

The eight athletes are Ts’epang Sello, Juanelie Meijer and Karla Pretorius (current students) and former Kovsies Juanré Jenkinson, Elmé de Villiers, Nicole Walraven, Maryka Holtzhausen and Philip Snyman. 

In addition, three members of the management team, Neil Powell, Kate Roberts and Jan Wahl, all previously studied at the UFS. 

Holtzhausen and Powell at their third Games 
Sello will be competing in the 800m in the colours of Lesotho, her country of birth. 

Pretorius is the vice-captain of the netball team and Holtzhausen was the former captain before her serious injury in 2016. Pretorius is doing a postgraduate in Dietetics and Holtzhausen is a contract worker at Kovsiesport. She will be competing at her third Games. 
De Villiers is a member of the South African badminton team and Walraven is with the Protea hockey team. Snyman will captain the rugby team.

Meijer (long jump) and Jenkinson (shot put) will battle in the para-athletic programme.

Powell will coach the Blitzbokke who are the defending champions from 2014. It will be his second Games in charge. He also won the bronze medal as a player in 2010. 

Roberts is the manager of the triathlon team and a participant in 2006. Wahl will act as the manager of the para-athletics team.

News Archive

Renewal process in JBM Hertzog Residence
2014-03-19

In February 2014, the JBM Hertzog residence community initiated a process of renewal. The review and reassessment of university symbols and traditions is nothing new; it takes place on a regular basis through the institution.

This means that various conversations take place to consult students on the evaluation of their residence’s values, symbols, systems and traditions in a changing South Africa. The university is deeply committed to continuously renewing its residence cultures through focused conversations in order to be more inspiring and welcoming to all students. The involvement of students in co-creating such spaces remains paramount.

The university regrets the deliberate and misleading information in the media on the process underway in JBM. The importance of student involvement consequently calls for the distribution of accurate information in order to avoid uncertainties, misunderstandings and incorrect perceptions.

It is therefore important to state the following regarding the current renewal process in JBM Hertzog:

1. No memorabilia or photos have been removed, and no final decisions have been taken in this regard. These decisions form an integral part of the consultation process described above.

2. The name of the residence (among other symbols) is part of the consultation process. It is also important to note that all suggested name changes at the UFS are subject to the approval of the institutional Naming Committee and the University Council.

3. The perception that this process is being used to eliminate certain unique cultural identities is incorrect. However, what this process aims to achieve is a more inclusive and welcoming residence culture, and throughout this will be done in consultation with all students.

All current residents of JBM Hertzog are invited to form part of this renewal process. In conclusion, the UFS wishes to convey its appreciation to the Residence Committee members and the residents for their positive attitude and continuous support during this very important process.

Prof Jonathan Jansen
Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State
 

Issued by: Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27(0)51 401 2584 or +27 (0) 83 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 (0) 51 444 6393

 

 

 

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