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12 April 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Johan Roux
Francois de Beer
Francois de Beer, who achieved distinctions in all his subjects and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Chemistry.

The post-school life of Francois de Beer, one of the graduates in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences who obtained his qualification in Chemistry and Biochemistry during the April graduation ceremonies, can be seen as one great act of ‘magic’. Other people may describe it as coincidence with a couple of miracles as the end result.

An opportunity 

After completing his schooling at Hoërskool Fichardtpark in 2008, Francois decided to study at the University of the Free State (UFS). “Kovsies gave me the opportunity when nobody else would,” said Francois. 

He did not have Maths subjects at school but wished to study in a Science field. “It is the closest one will ever come to doing magic,” he said.

The human element

Francois, who initially did not perform very well academically, did a bridging course in Mathematics and since then achieved distinctions in all his subjects. He related his story: “I did not have any Maths subjects at school, therefore it was very difficult for me to get to this path. The big difference was that Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen from the UFS bridging programme saw something in me when nobody else did. She gave me the opportunity to do the Mathematics course, after which I was able to further continue on the Science path.”

“I would definitely recommend the UFS to other prospective students. I think Kovsies has a human element that really looks after students,” Francois said. 

Francois is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies in Chemistry. He wants to make a difference in the lives of other people, just as others made a difference in his life. 

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Kovsies to compete for big drama prize at the KKNK in 2009
2008-11-27

A production of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, “Spokie Snygans maak sy buiging” by Jeanne Goosen, is one of four new plays in 2009 that will again compete at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) for the big Sanlam prize for Afrikaans theatre.

The department this year received R25 000 seed money for the production. Other participants that will compete for the prize are Rhodes University (for the first time) with “Die Bannelinge” by Bauke Snyman, Tshwane University of Technology with “Karakters” by Jané Dowd, and Stellenbosch University with “Die Wagkamer” by Frans Josias Hamman.

Prof. Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

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