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03 January 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Photo: Agri SA
Dan Kriek was recently appointed by the President to serve on an advisory panel on land reform.

Dan Kriek is a man who has many irons in the fire. The President of Agri SA, was in September 2018 appointed by the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to serve on an advisory panel on land reform that will support the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform.

Nevertheless, he jumped at the opportunity to serve on the Council of the University of the Free State. Kriek is also a proud former Kovsie. He obtained his BScAgric (Zoology), BScAgricHons, and MScAgric (Zoology) at the UFS. As a result, he regards it as a great privilege to be able to serve on the Council of his alma mater.

“It is now important
for me to make
our country
a better place.”
—Dan Kriek;
President: Agri SA

Great responsibility

“Apart from it being a great privilege, it is also a big responsibility,” he says. “I have good memories of my student days at Kovsies, but I also realise that times and circumstances have changed. A different approach – an inclusive approach – is needed in terms of how we are going to take the university forward.”

He believes that his knowledge of organised agriculture will come in handy. He is a proud product of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and believes that this is where he will especially be able to play a part as member of the UFS Council.

World-class institution

“I know what the current debates and challenges in agriculture are about. I therefore also know that we can make this Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and indeed this university, a world-class institution.”

In addition to his duties as President of Agri SA, he also serves on the Board of Directors of the VKB Group. Naturally, he is still a cattle farmer on his farm in the Eastern Free State as well.

“There isn’t time for more at this stage. It is now important for me to make our country a better place, and I am looking forward to applying all the knowledge and experience that I have gained from my different roles elsewhere – also on the Council.”

News Archive

OSM Camerata records CD with world-renowned cellist
2014-05-14

In 2010, South African cellist Heleen du Plessis, Executant lecturer for cello at the University of Otago, initiated the project “Cello for Africa”. The objective was to record a CD of new South African compositions for cello, reflecting the multi-cultural context of the country.

Du Plessis received an extensive research grant from the University of Otago in order to realise the project by commissioning, premièring and recording music. The aim was to facilitate a dialogue between Western and African musical traditions, as well as between the cello and indigenous African instruments.

Hans Huyssen, composer and cellist, has been closely involved in indigenous African music for a considerable time. In light of his extensive international experience, the SAMRO Foundation has granted Du Plessis' request to commission Huyssen to this task.

A world premiere concert preceded the recordings at the UFS’ Odeion School of Music (OSM) in March 2013, partially funded by a Humanities Research Grant as well as the OSM. This event provided a collaborative platform for musicians from different cultural backgrounds and several institutions to contribute towards a cultural and musical exchange. The funding enabled the project to successfully conclude in the recording of the CD, “Cello for Africa”. It was released by ODE records – the New Zealand label for classical music.

The OSM Camerata (OSMC) is the flagship ensemble of the OSM and was founded in 2012 with the main objective to kindle and forge the talents of exceptionally gifted students and pursue the highest artistic standards possible.

The OSMC participated in 2013 in the 13th International Conservatoire Festival hosted at the Rimsky Korsakov Conservatoire in St Petersburg, Russia. The OSMC received a standing ovation during their gala performance in the Glazonov Hall with a programme by South African composers Stefans Grové and Hendrik Hofmeyr.

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