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11 April 2019 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Charl Devenish
Odeion Dean
From left; Dr Chitja Twala, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Prof Heidi Hudson and Marius Coetzee at the OSM Dean’s Gala Concert.

It was a night where the Odeion School of Music (OSM) had its finest and best talent on the stage. The OSM Dean’s Gala Concert 2019 delivered a spectacular show on Friday 5 April 2019.

“I am deeply honoured to have the dean’s office associated with this concert. The work done by OSM counts amongst the best in the Faculty. The staff and students of the Odeion and the Camerata are known for having received many awards and accolades over the last couple of years,” said Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities. The OSM also ensures that a vibrant concert culture is maintained. 

“I want to recognise the work done by educators not only at school level and tertiary level. Through music education the human soul is developed and preserved, which reminds us why arts and humanities are essential in pursuit of knowledge,” she said.

Heinrich Armer, former lecturer at the OSM was awarded the Order of The Odeion School of Music for his contribution to music.

“The concert is also a benefit concert for potential funders to see the talent the OSM has to offer,” said Marius Coetzee, Innovation Manager at the OSM. The main reasons for the concert is twofold; firstly to create a professional performance for the gifted OSM students and showcase their excellence. For some students it will be their debut performance. Secondly, it is to raise funds for bursaries and funding of future OSM students.”

The programme line-up showcased the best of the OSM with performances from the OSM Camerata conducted by Elsabe Raath, The Free State Wind Ensemble conducted by Danre Strydom, and Naledi Dweba (clarinet) with Anneke Lamont (Piano) among others. 

Steve Reich’s Clapping Music was also amusingly performed by Misumzi Bottoman, Heinrich Lategan and Marlou Strydom. Charity Leburu and Mirriam Bokala were the sopranos and were both accompanied by Margot Viljoen on the piano.

News Archive

UFS Council elects a new Chairperson
2009-11-22

Judge Ian van der Merwe

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) elected Judge Ian van der Merwe as its new Chairperson at its last meeting for this year on Friday, 20 November 2009.

Judge Van der Merwe is an alumnus of the UFS and has been a member of the Council since 9 March 2007. In accepting his appointment, Judge Van der Merwe said that he was honoured and humbled to lead a Council of this calibre. “I will always do what is in the best interest of the UFS and, together with the Council, I will work towards making it an autonomous institution of academic excellence that is non-racial, non-sexist, and where diversity is cherished,” he said.

The election of a new Chairperson and the term of the Chancellor were among the matters discussed during yesterday’s meeting.

Dr Franklin Sonn will retire as Chancellor on 31 December 2009 and the term of office of the current Chairperson of Council, Judge Faan Hancke, will also expire on 31 December 2009. Dr Sonn has been Chancellor since 7 February 2003 and Judge Hancke has been Chairperson of the Council since 1 June 2001.

“I am elated that someone of Judge Van der Merwe’s stature has been elected as Chairperson and will provide him with my full support,” said Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

The Council paid tribute to Judge Hancke for the time he dedicated to the UFS, as well as for his leadership, guidance and wisdom to take the institution to where it stands in the current phase of its history. The Council also recognised Judge Hancke for, amongst others, his decision to appoint Prof. Jansen as the first black Rector and Vice-Chancellor, for his role in the implementation of the Transformation Plan and the policy to increase diversity in residences at the UFS, as well as his contribution to the growth of black students.

Judge Hancke thanked the Council for their support and assistance during his term and congratulated Judge van der Merwe on his appointment. “I wish Prof. Jansen and his management team well and hope that they will have the wisdom to solve the problems the institution is facing so that they can focus on the core business of the UFS namely its academia. I know the University can make a tremendous contribution to the country,” he said.

The Council also welcomed the following new members who were present at the meeting: Mr Pule Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State; Mr Ndaba Ntsele, Chief Executive Officer of the Pamodzi Group and Mr Willem Louw, Managing Director of Sasol Technology.

The new Chancellor will be elected as soon as the proposed statute is approved by the Council in 2010 and published in the Government Gazette. Prof. Jansen will act as Chancellor for the interim period from 1 January 2010.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
21 November 2009
 

 

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