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11 September 2018 Photo Stephen Collett
Outstanding Alumni awarded
Attending the awards evening were from the left: Dr Mafu Rakometsi; Gustav Wilson; Dr Pieter du Toit, National Executive Alumni Chairperson; Ace Moloi; Dr Khotso Mokhele; Prof Dave Lubbe; Dr Suzanne Staples; Prof Francis Petersen; Bertus Jacobs, and Tshepo Moloi.
A medical doctor, an economist, an author, and experts in the fields of Information Technology, Education, Management and Sociology are the winners of this year’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. 

This is the 36th year that the UFS honours those alumni who are not only flying the Kovsie flag high, but are inspiring excellence and transforming lives.

Chancellor’s Challenge

UFS Chancellor Dr Khotso Mokhele had a sobering message for those who attended the awards ceremony on 8 September. He shared how, on a recent visit to the US, he had a chance to visit the campus of Facebook in Seattle, and heard how every year Facebook received more than two million CVs from prospective employees – 98% of whom sported A-average grades. Management then confided in him that they never hired a CV, but rather a mindset.

“They sift through all those applications, looking for someone with a vision to disrupt the status quo,” Mokhele said. “This continent will be left behind if we don’t adopt that mindset – that confidence that borders on arrogance – that we can change the world. Are we ready for that challenge?” 

The recipients in the various categories are:

Chancellor's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year:       
Danie Meintjes – Former Group Chief Executive Officer of Mediclinic

Cum Laude Awards
Dr Mafu Rakometsi ¬ Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi)
Dr Suzanne Staples, Principal Investigator at the Tuberculosis & HIV Investigative Network (THINK)

Kovsie Ambassador Awards
Tshepo Moloi – Economist at the South African Reserve Bank
Bertus Jacobs – Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt
Gustav Wilson, Regional Head (Development and Care) Department of Correctional Services 

Executive Management Award
Prof Dave Lubbe – Research Fellow and Professor at UFS School of Accountancy.

Young Alumnus of the Year
Ace Moloi – Author and literary consultant

News Archive

Many changes for Shimlas, says new captain
2016-01-25

 Description: 2016 Shimla Neil Claassen Tags: 2016 Shimla Neil Claassen
The versatile forward, Neil Claassen, will lead the Shimlas onto the field in the 2016 Varsity Cup. Photo: Johan Roux.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has a new group of rugby players, a new head coach, and a new captain.

This is how the Shimla skipper, Neil Claassen, summed up his team's approach to the 2016 Varsity Cup.

Although the UFS will start the tournament as defending champions, the 23-year-old Claassen believes that much has changed since 2015.

One of which is his appointment. The flanker, who can play lock as well, was recently appointed as Varsity Cup captain in his third series.

The former Springbok flanker, Hendro Scholtz, took over as head coach from Franco Smith, who is now the Cheetahs trainer. Mac Masina, former centre for the Lions, is a new assistant coach.

New year with more pressure

Because of all the changes, Claassen feels that the Shimlas will need a different approach to the 2016 tournament.

“There will definitely be more attention on us (as champions). However, the guys in the camp see it as a new year,” he said.

“There is pressure, but we don't focus on that too much.”

Previous leaders set example

According to Claassen, he has never before led a team for which he played.

“I didn't expect to be captain,” the former pupil of Paarl Gymnasium said.

“This is something new. I have played with good leaders like AJ (Coertzen) and Oupa (Mohoje) before, and will take forward what I have learned from them.”

He also believes that there are several senior players, such as the vice-captain, Pieter-Steyn de Wet, who will assist him in his leadership role.

Back from injury

Claassen has played Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup, U21 and U19 rugby for the Free State.

However, a knee injury kept him out of action for nine months and he missed the last three Varsity Cup matches of 2015.

He returned for a training match against the University of Johannesburg in Kroonstad on 23 January 2016. The Shimlas also played a warm-up match against the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Bethlehem on 16 January 2016.

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