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28 June 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Charl Devenish
Dr Trevor Manuel and Prof Francis Petersen
Dr Trevor Manuel, guest speaker and Prof Francis Petersen.

Recording of Livestream


View photo gallery at the bottom of the page.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has awarded 474 South Campus Open Distance Learning certificates, 472 master’s, and 95 doctoral degrees to graduates in the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, the Humanities, Law, Theology and Religion, Health, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences, during the 2019 June graduation ceremonies.

According to the former Minister of Finance, Chairperson of the Old Mutual Group Holdings, and guest speaker during the ceremonies, Dr Trevor Manuel, “South Africa is a young nation; we need to believe that the best years are ahead of us and let this kind of thinking inform the choices we make.”
The UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, enthused graduates with ideas to better prepare them for the world of work. One of these ideas was to manifest critical enquiry. “Search for more, search for the truth, challenge the norm and do not just accept everything,” said Prof Petersen.

Kovsies confer three honorary doctorates during June graduation ceremonies

Co-chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies and High-Performance Computing, member of the Advisory Committee of the Breakthrough Listen project, and the former director of the SKA, Dr Bernie Fanaroff, was also honoured with an honorary doctorate from the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during the June graduation ceremonies.

UFS Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, congratulated Fanaroff and commended him for his immeasurable contribution to the global scientific community.

Two other giants – one in the arts and another in law – were honoured at one of the morning graduation ceremonies during the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus June graduations. The internationally renowned, award-winning film and theatre artist, Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree during the ceremony. Sharing the stage with Makhetha was Madam Justice Mahube Molemela, who received an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree. Justice Molemela is the first female Judge President of the Free State division of the High Court.

One of the many highlights during the June graduation ceremonies was when eight researchers from the International Studies Group received their doctoral degrees (PhDs).

Dr Trevor Manuel further referred to the National Development Plan and the values enshrined in the South African Constitution, urging graduates to carry the country forward. “Each and every career is contributing to the transformation of society," he said.

Graduands told they are ‘persons of value’ in education sector

Former Free Stater and Chairperson of the GivenGain Foundation, Advocate Frans Stroebel, also addressed UFS graduates as an esteemed guest speaker for the various ceremonies.  Adv Stroebel explained to graduating teachers that they are ‘people of value’, and as such, give much more than what they take. He praised them, saying: “I thank you now, in advance, for the role that you are going to play in the lives of our children in the next ten years.”

He further spoke on the theme of ‘Choices’, highlighting the fact that each choice results in someone having to take responsibility for something.

For information about upcoming UFS graduation ceremonies, visit the UFS graduation ceremonies page.

Bloemfontein Campus:

WATCH: 27 June 2019 Ceremony(Afternoon Session)
South Campus
14:30: South Campus 
Advanced certificates and Professional diplomas 
Graduation Programme

“You have the responsibility of teaching a young generation that is waiting for your guidance and mentorship.” - Adv Frans Stroebel

WATCH: 28 June 2019(Morning Session)
June 28 morning session
8:30: Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, the Humanities, Law and Theology and Religion 
Master's and doctoral qualifications
Graduation Programme

WATCH: 28 June 2019 (Afternoon Session)
Faculties of Health and Natural and Agricultural Sciences
13:30: Faculties of Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences 
Master's and doctoral qualifications
Graduation Programme

 


From left; Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Mr Jannie de Villiers, Dr Mahube Molemela, Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
From left; Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Mr Jannie de Villiers, Dr Mahube Molemela, Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen and Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen and Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Trevor Manuel, Mr Willem Louw and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Trevor Manuel, Mr Willem Louw and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, Dr Trevor Manueal, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, Dr Trevor Manueal, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council
Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen, Recipient of the Council Medal
Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen, Recipient of the Council Medal
Mr Jannie de Villiers, recipient of the Chancellor
Mr Jannie de Villiers, recipient of the Chancellor's Medal
Dr Trevor Manueal, former Minister of Finance and Chairman of Old Mutual Group Holdings, was the guest speaker on 28 June
Dr Trevor Manueal, former Minister of Finance and Chairman of Old Mutual Group Holdings, was the guest speaker on 28 June
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, recipient of a Doctor of Letters honorary degree.
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, recipient of a Doctor of Letters honorary degree.
Dr Bernard Fanaroff, recipient of a Doctor of Science honorary degree
Dr Bernard Fanaroff, recipient of a Doctor of Science honorary degree
Dr Mahube Molemela, recipient of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree
Dr Mahube Molemela, recipient of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

News Archive

There’s more to media freedom than the Secrecy Bill
2012-05-04

4 May 2012

 “Media freedom is a universal human right. It cannot be abolished, but it should be managed.” The freedom of the media is protected by numerous formal documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the South African Constitution, and is commemorated annually with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day.

 “As long as those in power have something to hide, media freedom will be under threat. This is a war that takes place on many fronts,” says Ms Willemien Marais, a journalism lecturer at the Department of Communication Science at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“On the one hand we have to take a stand against institutional threats such as the proposed Protection of State Information Bill. This is diametrically opposed to everything that media freedom and freedom of expression encapsulates.

“But on the other hand we also need to educate and transform our society. It is not only up to journalists to defend media freedom. Newspaper reports on the public hearings on this Bill earlier this year proved that ignorance concerning media freedom is a big threat. The lack of resistance against the Secrecy Bill from the general population clearly illustrates that people aren’t aware of what they are about to lose.”

 Ms Marais says the rise of social media and the accompanying awareness of individual freedom of expression have paved the way for more people to exercise this right. “The role of social media in the Arab Spring has been highlighted numerous times. The power of social media is undeniable – but alas, so is the lack of access to especially social media. We can only increase media literacy if we increase people’s access to the media – new and traditional.”

A high level of media literacy is also vital following last month’s recommendation by the Press Freedom Commission of a system of independent co-regulation for South Africa’s print media. This system proposes replacing government regulation with a panel consisting of representatives from the print industry as well as members of the general public. “It is abundantly clear that this system can only work if those members of the general public are media literate and understand the role of media freedom in protecting democracy.”

“The media is not a sentient being – it consists of and is run by people, and human beings are fallible. Protecting media freedom does not only mean fighting institutional threats. It also means increasing media literacy by educating people. And it means owning up to your mistakes, and correcting it.” 

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