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07 February 2018 Photo Adri Louw
KovsieFM programme manager joins SuperSport as field reporter
Sam Ludidi.

Sam Ludidi is no unfamiliar face on campus. He is currently busy with his second year of a BA Communication Science degree but started off as a BSocSc student five years ago. This KovsieFM programme manager recently joined the SuperSport team as a field reporter. He was selected from 70 candidates and recalls the phone call he received as the best he ever got. We checked in with him to see how he was enjoying the limelight.

It is difficult to choose between television and radio ... I think I prefer television. Then again, there’s a certain skill you need for radio because people don’t see you – that challenge intrigues me. But since I’m an expressive person, television allows me to express myself in full view of the audience.

Sport is my true passion, without a shadow of a doubt. I was born and raised in a sports-crazy house and always loved it – even watching the Proteas’ unfortunate loss to Australia in the Cricket World Cup when I was four. I’ve always loved cricket, but I just cannot keep myself away from rugby. Between the two sports, I’d probably lean towards rugby from an off-the-field perspective, and cricket if I’m on the field.

“You only have one chance
to make it work.”
—Sam Ludidi
Supersport Field Reporter

The best and worst thing about being a television presenter is that it is live. You only have one chance to make it work. When I get it right, I feel great, but on a difficult day, I am hard on myself. I’m still somewhat new to television, but the trick is to find out what makes me different from the rest. My character and charisma make me stand out.

I still can’t believe ... that I am doing my dream job, and it almost came out of nowhere. My incredible support structure from since before my TV presenter job still sticks with me. I learnt from my mother to glorify God with the work that I do, I know that He’s opened many doors which led to this and I cannot express just how blessed I am.

News Archive

New Genetics building on Bloemfontein Campus spirals into new frontiers
2015-09-11

On Thursday 3 September 2015, the Department of Genetics hosted the official opening of its new offices on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, Prof Neil Heideman, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics cut the ribbon, symbolising the opening of this building with its state-of-the-art facilities.

The new genetics building boasts a new administration block with a reception area, seven offices, a small committee room, and a seminar room for 50 people. Furthermore, the undergraduate laboratory block provides a laboratory for 150 students. The research block has facilities for 30 researchers.

This building also hosts a chemical waste sorting and storage facility. This is a first for the university.

Several sites were investigated for the new building, but due to its size and envisaged second phase, a “green fields” site was found on the western side of the campus. The main entrance caters for visitors from the north, students on foot, and those using the parking area in front of the library. The secondary south entrance is for those who use the dedicated parking area south of the building. The link between these two entrances is the spine of the building, a helix with services/buildings spaced on either side. The helix will be extended in the second phase to keep the circulation and linkage of buildings as simple as possible.

In his opening speech, Prof Grobler gave a breakdown of the history of the Department of Genetics. Today, this department, which opened its doors at the UFS in 1960, is proud of its 131 students and 46 honours students.

According to Major-General Edward Ngokha, Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, students who graduate from the UFS in the field of genetics make excellent employees. The Forensic Science Laboratory has employed 25 honours students since the BSc Honours degree in Genetics was implemented in 2010.

“The UFS delivers education of high quality and high standards. Thank you for your contribution toward fighting crime by delivering well-prepared, committed employees,” said Major-General Ngokha.

The department presents programmes on population conservation genetics, plant molecular genetics, cytogenetics, forensic genetics, forensic science, human genetics, and behavioural genetics.

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