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14 January 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Anja Aucamp
Study Bug Bites Historian Early
Prof Corene de Wet, South Campus researcher, is a dedicated historian and educator.

From a childhood dream of being a historian, to a decades-long educator and double doctorate-holder, Prof Corene de Wet has led an eventful life. Realising that her undergrad qualification on its own would not get her a job, she completed the Higher Diploma in Education at the then Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. However, “just to buy some time for myself,” she decided to study part-time while teaching in Winburg.

Prof De Wet calls it “being bitten by the part-time study bug.” By 1991, she had obtained her BEd (an honours degree at the time), MEd, and DEd degrees. In 1999, she graduated with a PhD in History. Today, Prof De Wet is still a research associate on our South Campus.

Tremendous milestones and mentors

Dr Lynette Jacobs, co-researcher on several projects, says, “Prof De Wet was the first woman to receive a full professorship in the Faculty of Education, and the first woman in the faculty to obtain an NRF rating. She received her professorship at a time when the academic world belonged to men. She outclassed her peers, rising head and shoulders above the crowd.”

Prof De Wet says her superhero is Prof Daniella Coetzee, South Campus Principal and long-time colleague. “Prof Coetzee is a brilliant academic and organiser. She makes every member of her staff feel special. I am ever thankful that she saw the need for a researcher on the South Campus and that she appointed me in this position,” says Prof De Wet.

“She is a seasoned academic who
still enjoys international recognition.”
—Dr Lynette Jacobs.

Generational history and work ethic

Although much has changed in education since her initial research, Prof De Wet believes that both her doctoral dissertations still bear scrutiny. Regarding the zeitgeist and its impact on the written history of a nation, Prof De Wet says, “We regularly hear many voices today who say that history must be ‘rewritten’. My thesis dealt with exactly that: How different generations of historians wrote histories influenced by the spirit of the time, or by textbooks, or by their own political or world views, or their philosophy on life. Thus, different generations interpret the same events differently.”

During a career spanning more than four decades, Prof De Wet has upheld a strong work ethic. This has enabled her to maintain her C-rating as an NRF researcher. “If one doesn’t dare, if you are too afraid of critique or failure, you won’t get anywhere in academia,” she says, adding, “Criticism is part of academic life. Therefore, take chances, and learn from healthy, constructive criticism.”

News Archive

Alumni inspired to keep flying the Kovsie flag high at reunion weekend festivities
2015-09-01

Dr Khotso Mokhele and Adv Roelf Meyer

The University of the Free State hosted alumni from all over the country on the Bloemfontein Campus during a weekend of exciting events, talks, and tours around the campus on 28 and 29 August 2015.

The celebratory events were kick-started with a leadership symposium hosted by Dr Marcus Ingram, Director: Institutional Advancement with Adv Roelf Meyer. The symposium was attended by current student leaders and the SRC Presidents Alumni Association. In his dialogue with the audience, Adv Meyer shared his experiences and personal growth in the process of bringing about democracy in the country with student leaders as change agents. “If you really want to contribute to change, it is not only an intellectual exercise; it is also a heart and soul thing,” he said.

The anchor event was the inaugural Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award Luncheon hosted by Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele. Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, welcomed guests by highlighting the latest extraordinary achievements of UFS students and academic staff.

Keynote speaker of the day, Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Executive Director of Inyathelo and a renowned politician, spoke of the role that universities have in preparing women for leadership roles and how they, in turn, can prepare society for female leadership.  She commended the UFS’s advancement efforts supported by the Kresge Foundation, which supports young people, to keep them in universities. “I am proud to say that the UFS’s efforts in advancement have achieved its goals.”

In his remarks, Dr Mokhele said “what draws a student back to his/her Alma Mater is the quality of the experience they had on campus.  This campus contributed to the transformation of this country through alumni such as Roelf Meyer and Kobie Coetsee.”  He said this initiative should create a lived experience for students on the university campus.  The Chancellor presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Adv Roelf Meyer, for his outstanding contributions to the human interests of South Africa, and his current work of facilitating peace processes around the world.

In accepting the award, Adv Meyer introduced Youth Zones, a project which he has been involved with for the past five years, empowering and supporting 40,000 youths in the Free State. In accepting the award, he said “I was a first-year student in 1960, my year group represented the most emphatic group of this university. There are many who came before and after us who well deserve this award, therefore, I accept it on behalf of all alumni.”

To wrap up the weekend’s festivities, former SRC President, Richard Chemaly, hosted the Faculty of Law alumni cocktail event at the CR Swart Auditorium.
Speaking at the event, Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, said “A faculty cannot exist without its alumni, we need you to carry us.  Your continued support and collaboration is truly appreciated.”

Alumni and staff enjoyed further entertainment by well-known musical groups, Freshly-Ground and The Muses.

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