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11 February 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Rian Horn
First-year Athletics
“KovsieSport’s new group of first-year athletes embody quality,” says Kesa Molotsane.

The KovsieSport athletics evening is always a lively and energetic event, as students take part in fun activities that entail singing and cheering their peers on as they compete against one another in a variety of athletic sports activities.

House Veritas, who are famous for their spirit and creative musical ways, won the overall spirit cup on the day, with House Imperium winning the co-ed category, and House Harmony winning the female category.

According to a former University of the Free State (UFS) KovsieSport Senior Sportswoman of the Year (2017), Kesa Molotsane, the 2019 group of first-year students is one that embodies quality and talent.

Molotsane explained: “Louzanne Jansen van Rensberg, who was dubbed one of the best athletes in the Free State, has joined the Kovsie family; this promises to be a prominent year in sport for the UFS”.

The UFS is looking forward to a successful year in sport, with the likes of Jannes Schlebusch who obtained a silver medal at the IAAF World U.18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya in 2017, and is South Africa’s best junior javelin thrower. Joviale Mbisha was ranked 14th at the IAAF World U.18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya in 2017, and has also joined the UFS Kovsie Sport team. A number of fresh talents have joined the team, promising an interesting year ahead for the university.



News Archive

Boyden observatory celebrates its achievements
2004-10-05

The red carpet will be rolled out and champagne glasses filled tonight when the Boyden Observatory outside Bloemfontein will launch the first phase of the new science centre.

This phase, which was completed earlier this year, consists of a new auditorium, reception area and paths which connect educational visiting points on the Boyden terrain.

“Over the past two years the Boyden Observatory has been re-sited as a research, educational and public facility. The new facilities are now being utilised for educational and public programmes. The 1,5m Boyden telescope has also recently been upgraded and is used for research purposes,” says Dr Matie Hoffman from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Physics, who is responsible for the management of the centre.

“The Boyden Observatory is a unique facility of the UFS - we are one of the few universities in the world who has its own observatory,” says Dr Hoffman.

“The main purpose of the science centre is to create enthusiasm for science amongst the public. The centre also has a great educational function and focuses specifically on the improvement of the quality of science education in the Free State,” says Dr Hoffman.

Fund-raising for the planned second phase of the science centre, which will consist of interactive in- and outside exhibition areas, will also start tonight. “After the completion of the second phase the Boyden Observatory will probably become the most accessible and public-friendly observatory in the country and a great asset for the Free State Province,” says Dr Hoffman.

A small robotic telescope, which will be controlled from the University College Dublin in Ireland, will also be installed at the Boyden Observatory this year.

“Just as this year is a significant one for the UFS with its centenary celebrations, so it is also a significant one for the Boyden Observatory. The Harvard University in the United States of America started with the construction of the original 1,5 m telescope in its original form 100 years ago, the telescope was put in place at Boyden 70 years ago and Mr Uriah Boyden – the person who donated the money with which the Boyden Observatory was constructed, was born 200 years ago,” says Dr Hoffman.

The first phase of the science centre was built with funds sponsored by the AngloGold Fund, the Shuttleworth Foundation, the Charl van der Merwe Trust and the Lila Theron Trust. Donations from the Friends of Boyden Observatory and other individuals also contributed to the success of the project.

Those who are interested in educational tours of the science centre can contact Dr Hoffman at (051) 401-2322.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 October 2004

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