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28 June 2018 Photo Supplied
Reitz book wins sought-after UFS Book Prize
Back from left; JC van der Merwe; Prof Corli Witthuhn, front from left; Dionne van Reenen and Dr Glen Taylor, Senior Director of Research Development.
Having been described “a brave book” by Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research, Transformation and Legitimation in Post-apartheid Universities by JC van der Merwe and Dionne van Reenen, is the deserving winner of the University of the Free State (UFS) Book Prize for 2017.

“This award is confirmation that our research and reflections produced sound scholarly work,” said Van der Merwe. He added that they recognised it was impossible for one research study to tell the whole story about Reitz, which reached a level of complexity that extended beyond a single reading of evidence and discourses.

Van der Merwe is the Acting Director of the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice at the UFS and his co-author, Van Reenen is also a researcher at the institute. 

Book critically discusses pivotal moment
According to this year’s external evaluation, the winning book is a competent account of the struggle of one institution with identity, culture, race and transformation.  

“Congratulations to JC van der Merwe and Dionne van Reenen on winning the 2017 UFS book prize with their book. This is a brave book written with deep understanding and modulated moral anger,” said Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector; Research at the UFS.

“In critically focusing on a moment in the history of UFS – the infamous Reitz event – JC and Dionne enable us to understand the depth and embedded nature of racism in our higher education institutions.”

Unpacking the Reitz incident 
The concept for the book dates back to 2011 said Van der Merwe. “I conceptualised and organised a series of semi-structured interviews with key members of the UFS senior staff and student leaders who were in office at the time of the Reitz video.”.

He then began to formulate the structure of the book – the aim of which was to contextualise and unpack the Reitz incident by conducting an in-depth investigation into the event itself, the rhetoric surrounding it, and the set of practices and ideas in which it was embedded. Van Reenen joined the UFS after the interviews and was therefore the perfect interlocutor in discussing the events prior to and after 2008.

“They deliver a theoretically rich analysis of the anatomy of current contestation about race and transformation in higher education in South Africa, the resultant legitimation crisis facing the UFS and South African universities more generally, as well as ways to restore institutional legitimacy and reputation focusing on instituting deeper and more durable change that unlocks the promise of democracy,” Prof Witthuhn said.

News Archive

UFS student government elections declared free and fair
2015-09-04

The 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) elections on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) have been declared free and fair.

The institutional Independent Election Commission Chairperson, Mandla Ndlangamandla, commended the high level of cooperation displayed by all students who participated in the peaceful and organised elections on the Qwaqwa Campus.

“We are proud to indicate that from the beginning of the election process, there were no incidents of intimidation, disruption, threats, and violence that were reported,” he said.

Announcing the election results at Bloemfontein Campus, the representative of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Andrew Ndelele, also confirmed that the commission had ensured that the elections were credible.

Voter turn-out increased at both campuses compared to the previous year. The elections, which took place from Friday 28 August to 1 September 2015, saw 8% and 0.7% increases in votes casted at the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, respectively. 

Paseka Sikhosana, President-elect of the Qwaqwa Campus, commended the unity and orderliness displayed by students: “After the polling stations had closed, we came together and sang in peace”.

Incoming SRC President of the Bloemfontein Campus, Lindokuhle Ntuli, also endorsed the impartiality of the elections, while expressing how humbled he was by the support he received during the campaigning period.

Bloemfontein elective portfolios:



Bloemfontein Campus president: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Photo: Johan Roux

President: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Vice-President: Mpho Khati
Secretary: Tsietso Mafaso
Treasurer: Katleho Masheane
Culture: Delia Moumakwe
Sport: Kabelo Elijah Noosi
Transformation: Katleho Mmolayeng Letube
Student Accessibility and Support: Victor Fana Sejane
Media and Marketing: Peo Morwesi Segano
First-generation students: Nicola King
Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Luke Harrold Small
Student Development and Environment: Karabo Pheko

Bloemfontein ex officio portfolios:

Associations Student Council: Sikhulekile Luwaca
Academic Affairs Student Council: Letsika Liqoalane
Campus Residences Student Council: Ingrid Wentzel
Commuter Student Council: Audrey Sithebe
Postgraduate Student Council: Kamogelo Dithebe
International Student Council: Takudzwa Gezi
Student Media Council: Hatsu Mphatsoe
Rag Fundraising Council: Tubatsi Moloi
Rag Community Service Council: Johan Diedericks

Qwaqwa Campus president: Paseka Sikhosane
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Qwaqwa elective portfolios:

President: Paseka Sikhosane
Vice-President: Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary: Nondumiso Langa
Treasurer: Palesa Selepe
Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Lindokuhle Ngubane
Media and Publicity: Bongiwe Buthelezi
Politics and Transformation: Nthabiseng Mokoena

Qwaqwa ex officio portfolios:

Academic Affairs: Edward Nkadimeng              
Arts and Culture: Kwenzakwenkosi Mthethwa
Sports Affairs: Thabo Zengele                           
Rag and Dialogue: Dieketseng Mokoena
Religious Affairs: Mamosebetsi Mokoena         
Residence Affairs: Pheletso Moekoa
Off-Campus: Nicholas Sibeko

 

 

 

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