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02 February 2018 Photo Esti Strydom
Not a laughing stock Phil de Lange
Phil de Lange
Phil de Lange studied for a BA Integrated Marketing Communication and English + TEFL at the University of the Free State (UFS) from 2008-2011. During that time, he was a Kovsie FM presenter, which paved the way for his blossoming career in radio. Currently, Phil is the producer of the Smile Breakfast show on Smile 90.4FM, and is a co-host of Sunday Night Comedy Hour at the same station. He also performs as a comedian.

“My biggest career obstacle was to balance the expensive realities of life while trying to get a foot in the door of the career I wanted,” said Phil.

“The best career advice I can currently give is to read, research, study future trends, and be prepared. Know who to listen to, and who to ignore. Also, you are more important than any company. Look after your physical, emotional and mental well-being. Unfortunately, most companies don’t really have that in mind.  

“My fondest memories of the UFS are having fun with the Kovsie FM team, intense class discussions with Dr Brooks and Ms Lovisa from the English Department, and chilling by the fountains in front of the main building. Not to mention passing a re-write with distinction from a hospital bed. I wasn’t hospitalised due to the re-write, it just happened at the same time!

“The best thing about being a comedian is the platform you get – it’s like nothing else. Having people listen to you intently for a long time and laughing at your jokes is exhilarating. And the worst thing is realising that not everything you think is funny, is funny.

“I have an appreciation for radio that few other people have. I love it. I love how it’s still so important to millions of people. I am also privileged to be working with some of the best and most passionate people in South African radio.” 

News Archive

Johann swims his way to Olympics
2016-05-18


Johann van Heerden from the University of the Free State has qualified for the Paralympic Games in the swimming pool, and is now waiting to hear if he will be included in the South African team. Photo: Nadya van Heerden.

In the past couple of months, Johann van Heerden has been swimming his way to the Paralympic Games, and is still preparing as if he will be going to Rio de Janeiro.

The Kovsie swimmer, who will know whether he has been included in the Paralympic team in July 2016, feels his training is progressing well. The Olympics will be held in Brazil from 7 to 18 September 2016. If all goes well, this could be the first of several Olympics for the 20-year-old second-year Education student from the University of the Free State (UFS).

Dream year for Education student

Van Heerden (cerebral palsy), whose hero is the former Paralympic superstar Natalie du Toit, has had huge successes in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics. Among others, he was named the best senior swimmer at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Bloemfontein in March 2016. At the South African Senior Championships in Durban in April 2016, he qualified for the Olympics in the 100 m breast-stroke with an A-qualifying time, and in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle with B-qualifying times.

Only three male swimmers to Olympics

However, he has to wait until the announcement of the South African Paralympic team, since only three male and three female swimmers will be selected. He will not be competing in another major event before the Olympics. “My short-term goal is to compete in this year’s Games, and, in the long term, I would like to reach even greater heights at the 2020 Games,” he said. Du Toit is an inspiration to him because “she was hard-working, and she had a lot of drive”.

Other students from CUADS also excel

At the above-mentioned National Championships, Van Heerden won a total of five gold medals (200 m medley, 100 m breaststroke, 50 m freestyle, 50 m breaststroke, and 200 m breaststroke) and one silver medal (100 m freestyle). Other students from the Center for Universal Access and Disability Support at the UFS also excelled.

Dineo Mokhosoa (cerebral palsy) won three gold medals (long jump, shot-put, and discus), while the athlete Louzanne Coetzee (blind) shattered the world record in the 5 000 m, as well as the Africa record in the 1 500 m. Juanré Jenkinson (cerebral palsy) won two silver medals (discus and shot-put) while Danie Breitenbach (blind) won two gold medals (800 m and 1500 m).

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