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13 August 2018
Proteas next goal for Khanyisa
Khanyisa Chawane is going places with her netball career. She finds inspiration from God and the people she surrounds herself with.

Netballer Khanyisa Chawane singles out friends, teammates and her Kovsie coach as the ones who have had the biggest hand in promoting her career.

“Coach Burta de Kock has had an impact on me as a player and person. She took me in, groomed me and taught me the ins and outs of becoming the player I am today,” Chawane says.

They picked me up when I was down

“Maryka Holtzhausen (Free State teammate) has played quite a role in my career as a teammate and mentor. Tiisetso Mashele is a very good friend who has always been there to lend a helping hand during the tough times and remind me where my strength comes from. Then there’s Khomotso Mamburu and Sikholiwe Mdletshe who’ve become more than teammates. They understand me and always manage to pick me up when I’m down and there’s never a dull moment when they are around.”

At the age of 22 Chawane is making huge strides on the netball court.

Crowned player of the tournament

Hardly a month after she was named Player of the Tournament of the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League, her performances at the National Championship mid-July earned her the Player of the Tournament once more. She is the first player to receive these accolades at both these tournaments in the same year. 

“The people I surround myself with keep me motivated in every aspect of my life. The grace of God upon my life is what inspires me to keep going. 

“I would love to represent the Proteas at the Quad Series and Diamond Challenge later this year and also to win the Varsity Netball Series,” Chawane says about future goals.  

 

Video production: Barend Nagel

News Archive

Message of appreciation from the UFS acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector: Prof Nicky Morgan
2017-01-04

Dear Colleagues, Students, Parents/Guardians, Alumni, and Friends of the university

The University of the Free State (UFS) successfully completed the 2016 academic year, with the official examination ending on 14 December 2016.  We have also completed the last of our graduation ceremonies, and are now preparing to accommodate the additional and ad hoc examinations in the coming weeks.
 
This comes after the university has successfully readjusted its academic programme in October 2016, subsequent to the disruption of activities and programmes for almost a month. All of this could not have happened without the extraordinary support and dedication of the staff and majority of the students at the UFS.
 
I would like to thank all our staff, parents/guardians, alumni, and friends of the UFS for the role they played during these challenging months in order to ensure that we could end the academic year successfully. If it was not for your understanding and uncompromising support, we would not have been able to complete the curricula, continue with the exams, and end the year in this way.
 
However, we all know that this was not an easy task. The sheer dedication and drive of our academic staff to adapt the mode of teaching and assessment of modules must be applauded, as it took courage and perseverance. Not only did they manage to complete the curricula, they also managed to do the assessment almost completely online. The incredible role of our administrative and support staff – including our security personnel – should also be acknowledged with deep appreciation.
 
This has been a learning experience for all, which has provided us with a solid base for academic recovery in the future.
 
During its quarterly meeting on 2 December 2016, the UFS Council expressed appreciation to all staff, students, and the university management for the successful completion of the 2016 academic year.
 
To all our alumni and donors who continued to support the UFS this year – thank you for your commitment, loyalty, and continued contribution.
 
Looking forward to 2017
The UFS announced on 7 December 2016 that it will be increasing tuition and housing and residence fees for 2017 by 8%. The approved increase in fees is in line with the recommendations by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, on 19 September 2016. The increases were approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016, with the understanding that it would be paid by the Department of Higher Education and Training by means of the fee adjustment grant for qualifying students with a combined family income of not more than R600 000 per annum.

The university management is aware of the economic realities in South Africa, as well as the financial pressure households are experiencing. The long-term financial sustainability of the UFS, as well as the financial constraints which impact teaching and learning, research, and community service, continues to remain of utmost importance to the Council and to the senior leadership of the UFS.
 
The university management stated its pro-poor approach to student funding on several occasions; that academically deserving students from poor and working class families should receive substantial financial support. For this reason – also because it does not place a burden on poor and working-class families – an increase in tuition fees aligned with the DHET proposal was submitted to Council for approval. The presidents of the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus Student Representative Councils were present and participated in the discussion on fees – also when Council approved the increase.
 
I am thankful to report that more applications for admission were received for 2017 (42 568) in comparison to 2016 (29 284), and we are excited to welcome first-year students to our campuses in January 2017. See 2017 calendar of events and information.
 
The necessary safety measures have been taken and contingency plans are in place when students return in 2017. The university management will continue to work with the South African Police Service to ensure stability on the campuses and the uninterrupted continuance of the Academic Project.
 
In conclusion, I would like to wish you a restful and safe Festive Season. Thank you once again for your crucial role in making the University of the Free State still one of the universities of choice in the country.
 
Best regards
 
Prof Nicky Morgan
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State

 

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