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UFS arts triumph at Vrystaat Arts Festival

01 July 2019 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rulanzen Martin

Michelle Joubert and Jane Mpholo will be seen in The Island which is directed by Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha and Charl Henning, a Master's student.

The arts are one of the most important building blocks of any country or organisation, and it is also an important aspect at the University of the Free State (UFS). Therefore, the partnership between these two Free State institutions is important for the promotion of the arts in the province.

The Vrystaat Arts Festival is taking place on the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS from 1 to 7 July 2019. Various UFS departments are involved in the programme, as well as in the technical and artistic planning of the festival.

UFS Drama and Theatre Arts make big contribution

“I was involved in the planning committee and as artistic selector from the beginning of the festival, and in recent years also as member of the festival board,” says Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

This department makes almost the biggest contribution to the festival, with various plays, such as The Island, which is directed by award-winning theatre maestro Jerry Mofokeng and Charl Henning, and two former students, Michelle Joubert and Jane Mamotse Mpholo in the cast, as well as technical assistance from staff and students. “Without the expertise of Thys Heydenrych as technical organiser and Brandon Hewitson as technical manager, the festival would not be possible,” says Prof Luwes.

“Our theatres are world-class, and the work of our students as technical and theatre personnel is described as outstanding by all theatre artists.”

Thought-Leader Series, Sol Plaatje lecture, and several book conversations

Since 2018, the UFS has also been involved in the annual UFS Thought-Leader Series, which was launched by Prof Francis Petersen, the UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor. The panel discussions deal with contemporary issues; this year’s topic is Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship for a Growing South Africa. The UFS will also present the Sol Plaatje lecture, which will be delivered by Diana Ferrus. Prof Petersen will also be part of a panel discussion with Prof Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, and Wandile Ngcaweni, about #FeesMustFall; the discussion will be facilitated by Ruda Landman.

The book by Prof Jan Coetzee of the Department of Sociology and Dr Asta Rau, from the Centre for Health Systems Research and Research, Narrating the Everyday, will also be discussed during the festival. So also, the book by Charl-Pierre Naude, research fellow in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, Die ongelooflike onskuld van Dirkie Verwey.

News Archive

CED launches Family Science programme

2009-03-31

The Centre for Education Development (CED) at the University of the Free State recently launched a programme that will see 110 students from the Faculty of Education being trained in Family Science. These students will be empowered to assist parents and educators, through community workshops, in achieving further development of learners in the sciences, mathematics, technology and related issues in everyday life through the Family Science programmes that form part of the CED’s Science-For-The-Future project.

They will acquire skills to raise science literacy levels among young children by making use of everyday experiences in and around the home. Furthermore, they will be able to develop learning and teaching materials that are suitable and affordable for use in community workshops, as well as in the formal classroom situation. They will also learn to apply constructivist and hands-on methodology in the teaching of science for young children with different learning styles. As future teachers, they will then be in the privileged position to lay a firm foundation for their learners in the subject area of Natural Sciences, while at the same time reaching out to the community by presenting Family Science workshops that will qualify them for certificates. This project is sponsored by ABSA.

At the launch were, front from the left: Ms Mpai Motloli (Student Educator), Ms Elizna Prinsloo (Project Co-ordinator: CED) and Ms Zine Mogorosi (Regional Manager: ABSA Corporate Social Investment). Back: Mr Ledumile Monyake (Student Educator), Ms Lorraine Botha (Facilitator: CED), Prof Jack van der Linde (Director: CED) and Prof Gawie du Toit (Head of Department: Curriculum Studies).
Photo: Stephen Collett

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