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03 October 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Charl Devenish
Pieter Hoogenboezem
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.”


News Archive

UFS releases draft charter to accelerate transformation
2007-02-02

The University of the Free State (UFS) today released a draft Institutional Charter which is intended to enhance and accelerate the ongoing transformation of the institution towards a non-racial, non-sexist future.

Speaking at the official opening of the university today, the Rector and Vice-chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, said the draft Institutional Charter, was an important milestone in the transformation debate for the university and the country.

“The draft charter acknowledges that black people, women and people with disabilities have been marginalised from job and developmental opportunities, within the higher education sector and at this university,” Prof Fourie said.

The charter commits the university to meeting the challenges of a transforming higher education institution in a developing society, in particular the challenges of nation-building, reconciliation, redress, non-racialism and non-sexism – and ultimately normalisation – within a high-quality academic institution.

The principles of the draft charter firmly signal the university’s commitment to diversity – attaining and maintaining substantive and sufficient diversity (including multiculturalism and multilingualism) – in its quest for quality and excellence. 
Prof Fourie said the draft charter seeks to build consensus among staff and students at the UFS about the ultimate goals of transformation at a higher education institution.

The charter proposes several basic values and principles that should guide the transformation process and at the same time serve as a basis for a future, normalised university - a promised land to transform towards.

The discussion document says academic quality is intrinsically linked to transformation and it commits the university to strengthening the core competencies of research, teaching and learning as well as community service so as to ensure a robust university for future generations.

“Indeed the thousands of matriculants, black and white, who apply to study at the UFS want to study at a good university, and a good university wants to attract the best black and white students and the best black and white staff, male and female,“ Prof Fourie said.

He said the draft charter also seeks to safeguard academic freedom and institutional autonomy as the foundation of critical inquiry and scholarship.

Regarding the critical issue of creating a new institutional culture, the draft charter commits the UFS to creating a sense of belonging for all members of the university – black and white, male and female, of whatever language, religious, cultural or economic background, as well as people with disabilities.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za
02 February 2007

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