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2019 Matriculant of the Year hails from Polokwane

03 October 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Charl Devenish

Pieter Hoogenboezem with his proud parents, dad Hans and mom Eldi, and Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

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At a gala event held on the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus, on 28 September 2019, the top 14 entrants in the 39th UFS-Volksblad Matriculant of the Year competition were given an opportunity to share their vision with invited guests.

In his introductory speech, Pieter Hoogenboezem, deputy head boy of Pietersburg High School in Polokwane, Limpopo, said: “I think the Matriculant of the Year should strive to do their best in everything they attempt, and they should be good at communicating with others.” Pieter will be studying medicine at the UFS next year. He was crowned the winner of the 2019 Matriculant of the Year competition and also received the Sparkling Personality award, as decided by his fellow finalists.

Pieter says of this achievement: “I am humbled and so blessed with the talents my heavenly Father has given me. I believe that the training and knowledge that I will receive at the UFS will empower me to make a worthwhile contribution to the medical field and society at large. It is going to be a great privilege for me to make Kovsies proud and to move others to become part of this university that promotes transformation, diversity, and inclusivity!”

Several other prizes were also awarded during the evening. Mandie de Wet from the Hoër Meisieskool Oranje in Bloemfontein walked away with the prize for best achievement in sport for her prowess on the hockey field, and Runé Edeling (Eunice High School) was rewarded for her accomplishments in dressage on a national level, as well as her extensive scientific knowledge and ability shown at the Eskom Expo, the Eskom Science Fair, and an international science expo in Arizona, USA. Each of these winners received R5 000 from the Kovsie Alumni Trust.

Dr Pieter Rademan, Matriculant of the Year 2009, had this to say to the finalists — many of whom will start studying next year to become doctors: “I’m delighted to see that so many here are interested in medicine; there is a desperate need for more doctors and good doctors in the country.” Using an example from the Norsemen, he told the matriculants: “Despite being shipbuilders and seafarers, the Vikings would set fire to their ships when they reached their destination.” He said this ensured that they would be motivated to overcome difficulties before rebuilding their vessels to continue the voyage. He exhorted: “Burn your ships! Calm seas do not make for good sailors. Get out of your comfort zone and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

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Kovsie artists to rock at Vryfees

2014-06-18

Photo: Conrad Bornman

It is the dead of winter in the heart of the Free State. The Vryfees is laying full steam ahead.

However, the talent that makes of this annual arts festival such a phenomenal success doesn’t only come from outside of our Bloemfontein Campus. This year’s productions will abound with performances by Kovsie staff, students and alumni from our Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

Behind the scenes, our people will also play a vital role in the achievement and progress of the festival. Prof Luwes is a member of the festival committee and together with Dr Venter and Godfrey Manenye, he also serves on the artistic selection committee for theatre.

Thys Heydenrych, lecturer in the above department, was appointed as the technical manager of this year’s Vryfees. This means that he is in charge of the placement and assigning of venues for productions on campus. All the technical aspects for these venues rest on Heydenrych’s shoulders. For this huge task, he is supported by a team of technical staff which includes mostly students.

Take a look at the list of all our Kovsie artists who are working hard to make the 2014 Vryfees better than ever:

Don Juan onder die Boere
Lecturers: Walter Strydom, Gerben Kamper (director),
Students: Mark Dobson, Michael Garbett, Helet de Wet
Former students: Marijda Kamper (Wynand Mouton theatre manager), Ilne Fourie, Hilletje Möller, Chanmari Erasmus, Michelle Hoffman, An-Mari Loots, Madré van Straten

S(t)out en Peper
Lecturers: Dr Pieter Venter (director), Thys Heydenrych
Former students: Ilne Fourie, Michelle Hoffman

Nag van die Hiëna
Head of Department: Prof Nico Luwes (author and director)
Lecturers: Gerben Kamper, Minette Grové
Former students: Carel Nel, Lindy-Lee Kleynhans, Ilne Fourie, Angelo Mockie (staff member at Student Affairs)
Student: Peter Taljaard (PhD student)

Rondomskrik
Former student: Chrystal-Donna Roberts (currently Pasella presenter and previously on the set of 7de Laan)

Slaaf
Former student: Carel Nel

Te Veel vir ? Coloured Girl
Former students: Angelo Mockie (staff member at Student Affairs), Olivie Sauer

The Bar
Lecturer: Godfrey Manenye (director)
Former students: Angela Edwards, Jane Mpholo
Students: Yoliswa Jacobs and Luandro Carstens

Victoria se Geheim
Lecturer: Dr Pieter Venter (director)
Former students: Chanmari Erasmus, Carel Nel, Gené McCaskill, Michelle Hetzel
Students: Helet de Wet, Marli van der Bijl (NRF Magister Intern), Jana Coetzer, Marnel Bester

Een Kleine Lientjie
Lecturer: Walter Strydom
Former student: Anna Visser (author and director, OFM presenter)
Students: Marli van der Bijl, Charl Henning, Jana Coetzer

For more information on the productions or the Vryfees programme, follow this link:
http://www.vryfees.co.za/

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