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12 February 2019 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rulanzen Martin
Prof Angelique van Niekerk and CP Naude
Charl-Pierre Naudé with Prof Angelique van Niekerk after launch and discussion of his book.

Die Ongelooflike Onskuld van Dirkie Verwey is the debut novel by Charl-Pierre Naudé, research fellow in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Naudé has published four volumes of poetry and is a poet by profession. Die Ongelooflike Onskuld van Dirkie Verwey is his first leap from poetry to prose. He is also a former winner of the Ingrid Jonker Prize for poetry.

The book, published by Tafelberg, was launched on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on Thursday 30 January 2019 where Naudé was in conversation with Dr Francois Smit, also from the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, during which the two of them attempted to analyse the world of the main characters; however, Naudé did not want to give away too much. ”I think people should read the book,” he said.

Spiritual and physical worlds

 

“The novel is a first-person narrative told by one of the characters. I wanted to play a certain bluff to determine exactly who the author of this book was,” said Naudé. The book is not totally explicable. “I wanted the reader to feel that it is not absolutely true.”

''The book seeks to combine the spiritual and physical worlds,” said Naudé. Die Ongelooflike Onskuld van Dirkie Verwey is essentially a love story in which the two worlds merge, but nonetheless never mix.

 

Creative writing course revived

 

“The book is Charl-Pierre’s creative output which forms part of his creative writing course,” said Head of Department, Prof Angelique van Niekerk. This is the first book published after the revival of the creative writing course at the UFS in 2015 – and what a book to kick off with!

“It is of great importance for our department to have been part of this book,” Dr Smith said.

Read here the article published in Huisgenoot.

News Archive

R40 million construction contract with black empowerment group starts at UFS
2006-09-04

During the ceremonial kick-off of the biggest construction project in the history of the UFS were from the left: Ms Vuyiwe Mkhupha (Manager of   Sikeyi Construction), Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS) and Prof Steve Basson (Head of the UFS Department of Chemistry). Photo: (Gerhard Louw)

R40 million construction contract with black empowerment group starts at UFS   

The biggest construction contract in the history of the University of the Free State (UFS) to the value of R40 million has started on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.  The contractors are Ströhfeldt Construction, in a joint venture with Sikeyi Construction, a black empowerment partner.

The contract comprises the extensive modernising, refurnishing and extension of the Chemistry Building.  This is the highest amount the UFS has ever spent on the refurnishing of a building. 
 
A number of initiatives have contributed to the fact that the UFS Department of Chemistry is one of the foremost chemistry departments in the country:
 

  • Expensive equipment and apparatus to the value of almost R20 million were acquired by the department the past year;
  • The basis of this is a strategic partnership with Sasol, the biggest research and development company  in the country;
  • The purchase of the most advanced 600MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectro meter in Africa;
  • The purchase of a single crystal X-ray diffractometer; and
  • The purchase of a differential scanning calorie meter, used to test the effect of heat on chemicals.  This apparatus comprises of the most advanced detectors in the world.

“Natural scientists need the necessary equipment, apparatus and laboratories to be able to exercise world-class science.  Three years ago the UFS top management made a strategic decision to focus strongly on research and on our  laboratories and lecture halls,“ said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, during the launch of the Chemistry Building’s refurbishment.

“I regard this project as a symbol of our investment in science and the academy,“ said Prof Fourie.

Prof Fourie said that the UFS spent almost R100 million in the last 5 years to renovate the Main Campus.  New buildings such as Thakaneng Bridge were built and other such as the Reitz Dining Hall was renovated and converted into the Centenary Complex.  “These projects, together with the refurbishment of the Chemistry Building, also show how the UFS contributes to the development and growth of not only Bloemfontein, but also how we invest in the Free State,“ said Prof Fourie.

According to Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Planning and Special Projects at the UFS, the current building originally comprised of the Moerdyk Building built in 1949 and a newer wing built in 1966.  This building became too small and obsolete and a new part is now being added to the eastern side.
  
According to Ms Pelzer a great deal of the project comprises the dramatic upgrading and modernising of laboratories, existing mechanical systems and the installation of new systems.  “The nature of the work of staff and students demands sophisticated mechanical systems such as air conditioning, fume hoods, the provision of gas, etc and therefore these received specific attention.  The research laboratories, lecture laboratories and office areas will also be separated for safety and greater efficiency,” said Ms Pelzer.

“Interesting design solutions for the complex needs of the department were found and I foresee that the building and its immediate environment will be an adornment to the Main Campus after its expected completion in 2008,” said Ms Pelzer.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
14 September 2006

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