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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

Mosa Leteane introduces new era in student leadership

2014-10-02

The month of August belonged to South African women – in more ways than one. Not only did we celebrate Women’s Month, but our Student Representative Council (SRC) gained a female leader.

On 4 September 2014 Mosa Leteane became the first female SRC president at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus under the revised SRC constitution of 2011. Although her journey has been a hard and difficult one, it rewarded her with great insightful and invaluable experience.

Being elected to this seat is a milestone for female leadership as a whole at Kovsies. Having been the Prime of House NJ van der Merwe Residence, Marketing Officer of the premier Golden Key Society, Executive Committee member for the 2013/2014 SRC Legal and Constitutional Affairs – and being a legal student herself – Leteane brings a lot of experience to student governance.

Accountability is one of her core values– and that is exactly what she envisions to bring to the newly-elected SRC. Leteane also believes that having a moral sense is essential to the functioning of her SRC. Being a political science or legal student does not automatically imply high morals, Leteane adds. Rather, principles are fostered by the contribution that you want to make.

Something she is proud to have inherited from the previous SRC is the establishment of a blueprint for student governance and understanding team dynamics. These things define the success of any SRC.

With the amount of work lying ahead, Leteane says, she will draw strength from family and friends – and listen to some music.

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