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09 March 2018 Photo Varsity Sports
Athletes show huge promise at Varsity Athletics meeting
Hendrik Martens of the Kovsies earned a silver medal in the 200m at theVarsity Athletics meeting in Pretoria.
The University of the Free State (UFS) dominated affairs in the middle distance at the first Varsity Athletics meeting of the year where they bagged no less than three gold and two silver medals.
The meeting took place on Friday 2 March at the Tuks Athletics Stadium in Pretoria. 

Middle distances have produced Olympic athletes for Kovsies such as Johan Cronjé and Rynardt van Rensburg in the recent past. 

Kovsies produced winners
The Kovsies produced both the men’s and women’s winners in the 800m. They were Ruan Jonck (1:50.06) and Ts’epang Sello (2:07.15) respectively.

Bennie Prinsloo finished in second spot.

In the 1500m for women, two Free State students also took the first two spots. Tyler Beling, who is just18 years old, dominated and finished six seconds (04:39.47) before Lara Orrock (04:45.2) in second place.
Orrock is also a first-year. Beling and Orrock were two of eight first-year students in the team of 25 athletes.
Apart from a first place in the men’s varsity mixed medley relay that was unfortunately the only gold medals the Kovsies managed on the night. 
They ended in fourth position behind Tuks (first), NWU (second) and UJ (third).

Gold, silver and bronze medals
There were, however, several silver and bronze medals.

Hendrik Maartens (second) and Oratile Sethlabi (third) gave good performances in the 200m. 

In the long jump for women, Maryke Brits grabbed second place and Norbert Ponisammy did the same for men. Interestingly, both also compete as sprinters.
Sefako Mokhosoa was the second best triple jumper and Nadia Meiring and Juan Muller both earned third spots in the hammer throw.

The second Varsity Athletics meeting is scheduled for 23 March 2018 in Pretoria.

News Archive

Always good to be honoured at home, says Justice Richard Goldstone
2012-02-06

 

Justice Richard Goldstone received an honorary doctorate from the university on 3 February 2012.
Photo: Duard Grobbelaar

 

Dumela article (pdf document)
Justice Richard Goldstone's - acceptance speech (pdf document)
Mail & Guardian article (pdf document)

The University of the Free State (UFS) is determined to make a success of its academic and human projects, and is not prepared to compromise on standards in the process.

This was the message of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, at our universities official opening on Friday 3 February 2012. These projects, said Prof. Jansen, are the foundation of the institution.

The official opening coincided with an honorary doctorate in Law conferred on Justice Richard Goldstone.

The UFS has enrolled the “smartest and most diverse class since 1904,” Prof. Jansen said.
Top learners with six A’s, and more learners from top schools inside and outside South Africa, have made the UFS their university of choice. “We are determined that the best students must study at Kovsies.”

Prof. Jansen also referred to learners in the school system who sit and wait while teachers fight amongst themselves at the education departments. “What are we going to do with those students?” The UFS provides an opportunity for these students to enter higher education with its University Preparation Programme on its South Campus in Bloemfontein. “The fastest growth at our university is on this campus. It is set aside for children who cannot be taken up in the mainstream.”

Some of the students who were part of this programme are doctors, lawyers and teachers today.

“We set a high standard in our academic project to make sure our students are the best available.”

In its Schools Project, the UFS has 23 schools under its wing and the net is broadening. Pass rates in these schools improved dramatically; in some from 13% to 100% in one year.

The human project sets standards for good behaviour. “I was astounded to see how young people get together to find other people as human beings,” Jansen said. “I have enormous hope for this country.

Some of the other projects he mentioned were the provision of more space for students to study, a refocus on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State, the placement of new academics, and agreements with universities abroad on the placement of young scholars.

After receiving his honorary doctorate, Justice Goldstone congratulated the university on the fact that transformation did not lead to standards being compromised.

“The university now takes its place as a leading university on our continent. The leaders of the university can hold their heads up high about their achievements.”

Judge Goldstone, the bearer of 26 honorary doctorates from various countries around the world, said: “It is always good to be honored at home”.

The official opening was attended by staff, students, guests and community leaders.
 
 

Media Release
3 February 2012
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za
 

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