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27 November 2018 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Sonia Small
Prof Francis Petersen
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

On 24 October 2018, the Board of Universities South Africa (USAf) elected Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), as Chairperson of its Finance and Investment Committee. As Chairperson of this committee, Prof Petersen will also serve as member of USAf’s Executive Committee and as ordinary member on the Audit and Risk Committee.

“On behalf of the UFS Council, I wish to congratulate Prof Petersen on his election as Chairperson. USAf plays an important role in higher education and I am confident that Prof Petersen’s contribution as Chairperson of the Finance and Investment Committee will be of great value to not only USAf, but to the sector in general,” said Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

According to Prof Petersen, his election as Chairperson and his membership of the Executive Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee will enable him to gain further insight into matters of national interest relating to finance and investment and it will give him the opportunity to represent USAf in its deliberations with government on the broader issue of fees and other related matters. “I am honoured by the election and look forward to support USAf’s initiatives relating to the portfolio,” he said.

Prof Petersen’s appointment as Chairperson of the Finance and Investment Committee is for a three-year term of office.

News Archive

Shushing, speaking, politicians, policing
2014-03-18

 
Prof Pumla Dineo Gqola
Photo: Michelle Nothling

Feminist writer, scholar and previous Kovsie staff member, Prof Pumla Dineo Gqola, recently launched her book at the Bloemfontein Campus. “A Renegade Called Simphiwe” explores the life – and controversy – of singer Simphiwe Dana.

The book tells the story of Dana, a rebellious artist and cultural activist. But it also delves much deeper – into the fabric of our society itself. It questions our expectations and reactions to the things that make us shift in our seats.

The politics of silencing
Artists should not involve themselves in politics. They should stick to what they’re good at. Dana and other artists know this silencing finger being waved at them all too well. It is this mentality that alarms Prof Gqola. “I’m very disturbed by the notion of policing our – especially female – artists.” She pointed out that it is mostly female artists in SA who are put under scrutiny, reigned in and censored. Not only by politicians, though. Our public also quickly steps in when an artist seems to step out of ‘their place’.

The proper place of art
“I’m part of the movement that believes art transforms,” said Prof Gqola. South Africa used to be a fertile ground for protest art. This had an immense impact on political and social transformation. “Then something happened,” Prof Gqola let the words linger. “The arts got divorced from its social transformative power.”

Why has art been publically marginalised?

The question remains.

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