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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.”


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Deputy Governor of SA Reserve Bank inspires students
2016-08-19

Description: Deputy Governor of SA Reserve Bank  Tags: Deputy Governor of SA Reserve Bank

Dr Lyndon du Plessis, Head of Department of Public
Administration and Management, Francois Groepe,
Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank,
Prof Philippe Burger, Head of the
Department of Economics and B.Com Hons student,
Mosoeu Mabote.

Photo: Siobhan Canavan

Students from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences had the opportunity to learn from the best in the field when the Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Francois Groepe, presented a seminar on the changing roles of central banks.

According to Groepe, we are currently living in challenging times as central banks are called on to do more.

“Central banks have limits, and these limits are not always understood,” he said on 11 August 2016 in the Equitas Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus.

How central banks contribute to inflation

There are two main generally-expected roles from central banks: the obvious one of providing bank notes and coins, and the other, maintaining price stability.

According to Groepe, the aim of keeping prices stable is to ensure easier planning for the future, and to assist the poor.

“The poor are the ones more vulnerable to higher inflation because they hardly have enough to get by,” he said.

A negative impact on monetary policies could affect the economy negatively. This is as a result of higher inflation caused by the increase in food prices.

Furthermore, the 12% government debt renders a negative yield in the economy.

The stability of finances in South Africa


Financial stability is not an end in itself, but, like price stability, is generally regarded as an important precondition for sustainable economic growth, development, and employment creation.

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