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30 January 2018 Photo Johan Roux
Former Bok gives back to his alma mater
Wian du Preez, new head coach of the Shimlas U-20 team.

After a long and stellar career as a rugby player, Wian du Preez felt it would be unfair not to give something back to the game that had treated him so well.

Du Preez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Shimlas U-20 team, better known as the Kovsie Young Guns. They participate in the Varsity Young Guns competition.

Former Springbok
The 35-year-old Du Preez, a former Springbok, retired in 2016. He now works as a financial advisor at Jenwil BlueStar Financial  Advisory Services in Bloemfontein.

“Making the step from a professional rugby player to the corporate world was a difficult one. Thus, coaching provides me with the opportunity to stay involved in the game and to get out of the office.

Giving back
“I thought it would be nice to give something back after receiving so much from rugby. Having the opportunity to work with youngsters, you can help shape them for a career in rugby, should that be something they aspire to.”

Du Preez is a former Shimla himself, having worn the blue jersey between 2002 and 2004 whilst studying for his BCom (Investment Management and Banking).

Both his parents work at the university. His mother, Lizette, is semi-retired, but still acts as part-time assistant at the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French.

His father, Prof Chris du Preez, was the head of the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and was a lecturer. In his final year before he goes on pension, he assists postgraduates with their studies.

News Archive

Diversity gains ground in SRC election
2005-08-19

 

The University of the Free State (UFS) reached another milestone in its transformation process last night (Tuesday 16 August 2005) when a more diverse group of students than ever before were elected to serve on the Main Campus SRC.  

In addition to this, the UFS experienced a smooth and problem-free election process – unlike recent years when the Main Campus SRC elections were frequently disrupted or marred by attempts of intimidation or obstruction.

The election took place on Monday 15 August 2005 and the results were announced last night (Tuesday 16 August 2005) by Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector:  Student Affairs at the UFS.

Seven black students are to serve on the Main Campus SRC, the highest number of black students ever to be elected on the Main Campus SRC since black students were admitted to the UFS in the late 1980’s. 

Nine of the 18 SRC members were directly elected and nine on the basis of proportional representation (PR).   The PR system was introduced after amendments to the constitution of the Main Campus SRC were approved by the UFS Council in June 2005. 

According to Dr Moraka the elections on the Main Campus were a resounding success.  “We received double the amount of votes this year: A total of 4 846 votes were cast, while 396 votes were spoilt.  Last year only 2 192 votes were cast,” said Dr Moraka.

Dr Moraka said that there were no disruptions of the process and no objections regarding the voting process were received.

Mr Graeme Bradley, thirdyear student in B Com Human Resource Management, was elected as SRC President of the Main Campus for 2005/2006.  Mr Bradley was SRC representative for Sports, Arts and Culture in 2004/2005.

In the PR section of the election, Here XVII (with 36,1% of  the vote) and Sasco (with 36% of the vote) received an equal amount of seats (3) for the SRC.  These percentages also provided them with fourteen (14) seats for the Student Parliament, which consists of 40 seats. 

“This outcome is significant to us as, for the first time we have a clear indication of what the actual support of these affiliated organisations is on campus,” said Dr Moraka.  


Media release

Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel:  (051) 401-2584
   Cell:  083 645 2454
   E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

17 August 2005
 

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