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09 October 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Varsity Sports
Lefebere and Khanyisa
Lefébre Rademan (left) and Khanyisa Chawane before the start of the Varsity Netball clash. Rademan was named the Player of the Tournament, a reward Chawane received last year.

For the sixth time in the seven years of the competition, the best player in the Varsity Netball tournament hails from the University of the Free State (UFS).

Lefébre Rademan, captain of the Kovsie netball team who ended third in Varsity Netball, was named as the Player of the Tournament and the Players’ Player of the Tournament on Monday night (7 October). Previous UFS recipients of the award are Ané Bester (2013), Karla Pretorius (in 2014 and 2015), Khomotso Mamburu (2016), and Khanyisa Chawane (2018).

Rademan shot 176 goals from 214 attempts for a goal average of 82%. In both the Premier League and National Championship, she received the prize for the best shooter this year.

The news comes shortly after the announcement that a UFS teammate has secured a contract to play overseas next year. Khanyisa Chawane, who impressed immensely as a member of the Proteas at this year’s World Cup, will represent Bath in Europe’s Superleague. The 23-year-old Chawane also received an offer to play in the Australian league, but the one in England suited her better.

She will return to Bloemfontein midway through the year and will still be available for the Kovsie netball team, as she will continue her studies. The talented mid-courter follows in the footsteps of Pretorius, who also spent a season with Bath in 2016.

“I am really thrilled to have signed with Bath. There is no doubt that I’m going to come out a better player; I’m grateful to have been scouted and given this opportunity to play for such a big team. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.”

“My goal has always been to play abroad and to challenge myself. I always strive to better myself and give my best on and off court,” Chawane said about the opportunity next year.

News Archive

Kovsie community pledge to advance equality and eradicate racism
2015-04-15

Photo: Johan Roux

Photo Gallery 
Speech by JC van der Merwe

On Monday 13 April 2015, the University of the Free State drew a line in history. Staff and students united in a singular vision: equality.

Since March 2015, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, together with the SRC, has launched the No-to-Racism/Yes-to-Equality Campaign across all three campuses with tremendous success. This campaign has now reached a high point at which the Kovsie community pledge their commitment to entrenching a culture of equality at the university. The first pledge ceremony took place on 13 April 2015 at the Bloemfontein Campus. Kovsies thronged to place their inked thumbprints on pledge posters in an inspirational show of solidarity.

“The key to transformation,” Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, said, “is putting yourself in the shoes of the other person.” When you look past yourself and acknowledge others’ experiences, the world starts to look different. A pledge, Prof Jansen continued, is a solemn promise – not only to stop bad behaviour, but to go forward resolutely with good behaviour. “You do not change a campus, you do not change a country, without being courageous,” Prof Jansen said.

The message from Mosa Leteane, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), echoed the same belief. “Today,” Leteane said, “the UFS takes a bold and courageous step toward equality.” This new generation, which includes young people from all races, has started a new revolution. A generation that says no to discrimination and yes to equality. “We cannot afford to be ignorant or indifferent,” Leteane urged.

The remaining two campuses will also have an opportunity to publically pledge their support on the following days:
Qwaqwa Campus: Wednesday 15 April 2015
South Campus: Friday 17 April 2015

To enable the university to go beyond dialogues and consultation towards active decision-making, a University Assembly will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2015. The assembly will serve as a space for critical engagement among all university stakeholders to focus on issues such as symbols, policies, practices, and curriculum. Staff and students are encouraged to submit matters for discussion to JC van der Merwe (vdmjc@ufs.ac.za) before 22 April 2015.

The No-to-Racism/Yes-to-Equality Campaign is aligned with the declaration made by the UFS Council in November 2014, in which it states that “the Council of the University of the Free State believes very strongly in the human dignity, equality, and freedom of all people.”

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