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31 December 2018 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Charlene Stanley
Kego Phuthi
Kegomodicwe Phuthi’s passion for books extends far beyond her work at the UFS Sasol Library.

She was born with a love for books and finds herself looking for something to read wherever she goes.

“That’s how I learn something new every day,” says Kegomodicwe Phuthi, whose passion for reading is reflected in the things she gets up to after leaving her office at the UFS Sasol library.  

She’s been a librarian for the past 22 years, working at various libraries in the Northern Cape, North West and Free State. Since 2015, she’s been the faculty librarian for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at Kovsies.

“I’m passionate about my job,” she says. “It’s always wonderful to see someone coming in here, not knowing much about books or how to access information, and then learning something and leaving with hope.”

She believes that when a love for reading is inculcated from childhood, students will not struggle when they come to university. Her own daughter Rebaone, a student in Music and Computer Sciences at Kovsies, is living proof of this.

“I read to her even before she was born!” she laughs. “And now I can see the results, as she gets distinctions in almost all her subjects.”

Kegomodicwe has been named Free State Librarian of the Year by the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). Factors considered include the fact that she started many libraries from scratch and also does volunteer work after hours at a Bloemfontein children’s home, reading to kids and teaching them a love for reading.

“It’s great to get this kind of acknowledgment,” she says. “The library is really the nucleus of the whole university. For me, it’s an honour to serve here. Most people look down on servants, but for me it’s the most powerful thing. All good leaders start as servants.”

News Archive

Professor awarded by Cardiff University for exceptional teaching and research record
2015-10-20

Prof Pieter Duvenage
Cardiff University is one of the best research universities in the United Kingdom (UK) and the world. In 2014, Cardiff was ranked number 2 and 5 among UK universities in the Research Excellence Framework for impact and quality, respectively.

Annually, Cardiff selects and recruits the most outstanding teachers and researchers from across the globe. This year, this institution bestowed on Professor Pieter Duvenage the title of Honorary Professorship in Political Philosophy for his contribution and commitment to philosophical research in South Africa and internationally. Prof Duvenage is Head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Duvenage has authored and co-authored four books, publishing almost 40 accredited articles in journals and books. As a distinguished scholar, he displays immense dedication to the investigation of the political implications of intellectual traditions.

Since 1997, Prof Duvenage has been lecturing philosophy as an associate professor, full professor, or visiting professor at various South African and Australian universities. He was appointed as Head of the Department of Philosophy in 2011, where he continues to explore his interests in Phenomenology, Critical Theory, and South African Intellectual History.

His rich academic history had earned him the prestigious five-year Honorary Professorship at Cardiff’s Department of Politics.  In 2014, the same university invited Prof Duvenage to be a Professorial Fellow of the Collingwood and British Idealism Centre for an indefinite period.

Professor David Boucher, Director of the Collingwood and British Idealism Centre, has played a crucial role in initiating both processes. According to Prof Duvenage, “Professor Boucher is a respected British academic and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg.”

When Boucher announced the good news, Prof Duvenage was very surprised. “The appointment came as a total surprise. I never studied there [at Cardiff University], therefore it was purely through academic networks.”

Considering Cardiff’s reputation and Prof Duvenage’s exceptional skill sets and values, his relationship with the world-leading university in research is bound to blossom.

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