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UFS Alumni honoured

09 September 2019 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Badda Pictures

Alumni Awards — The 2019 Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are: (front from the left) Louzanne Coetzee, Dr Riana Scheepers, and Jaco Jacobs; (back from the left) Marius Janse van Rensburg, Dr Janine Allen-Spies, Angie Khumalo, Kesa Molotsane, Prof Corinna Walsh, and Ryan Ishmail. Karla Pretorius could not attend the awards ceremony, as she is currently in Australia.

Two authors, an artist, two lawyers, three athletes, a dietician, and a broadcaster make up the recipients of this year’s prestigious UFS Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards on 7 September 2019.

Not only were these former Kovsies’ lives and careers irrevocably shaped by the UFS; in turn, they have subsequently reflected honour back to the institution through the success they attained in different fields.

An honorary award was also bestowed for the first time this year.

Honorary Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award: Dr Khotso Mokhele

This award acknowledges the extraordinary support, guidance, and achievement that an individual has rendered towards the UFS. It was awarded to UFS Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele.

Dr Mokhele holds a BSc degree in Agriculture from the University of Fort Hare, and MSc (Food Science) and PhD (Microbiology) from the University of California Davis. He has also received six honorary doctorates from various academic institutions, the most recent of which was from Rutgers University in the USA.

His contribution to science in South Africa has received wide recognition locally and abroad, and among the many public and corporate leadership positions he has held over the years, is that of President and CEO of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award: Dr Riana Scheepers

This is the highest honour accorded to an alumnus in recognition of the recipient’s distinguished achievements. This award celebrates an excellent alumnus who serves to inspire fellow alumni, current students, and the community at large.

It was bestowed on celebrated author, Dr Riana Scheepers, for her important contributions as a writer and language pedagogue.

She holds degrees in BA Communication Science, BA Honours in Afrikaans, and an MA in Afrikaans from the UFS, as well as a doctorate in Afrikaans and Dutch from the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Apart from her prolific creative writing career, she has also worked as a journalist and teacher, and has presented literacy and Writing and Creative Thinking courses to adults in Western Cape farming communities.

"Artists are not always recognised. Do what you have to do, but stay inspired. The harder you work, the bigger the miracle will become," was the advice Dr Scheepers had for aspiring artists on receiving her award.

Young Alumnus of the Year Award: Karla Pretorius

This award acknowledges the achievements of alumni who have graduated within the past decade and have contributed immensely to their fields.

It was bestowed on South African professional netball player and dietician, Karla Pretorius, who holds a BSc and MSc in Dietetics from the UFS.

Her many accolades as a netball player includes recently being named Player of the Tournament in the 2019 Netball World Cup. She has worked as a community-service dietician for the Mangaung University Community Partnership, and currently plays professional netball in Australia.

Cum Laude Award: Dr Janine Allen-Spies, Ryan Craig Ishmail, and Jaco Jacobs

This award is bestowed upon an alumnus to recognise excellence in any field, whether vocational or voluntary.

Dr Janine Allen-Spies: artist, image philosopher, and UFS senior lecturer in Fine Arts, she was honoured for excelling in the visual-arts arena, and for her pioneering academic work, paving the way for many young artists in the Free State Arts community.

She holds a BA in Fine Arts from the UFS and was the first scholar to complete a practice-based MA (including a full dissertation) and a PhD in Fine Arts at the UFS.

Ryan Ishmail: lawyer and acting magistrate at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, he was the youngest ever magistrate in the Free State at the age of 31.
He has worked as supervising attorney at the UFS Law Clinic, as lecturer, and as legal officer in the Directorate for Student Discipline and Mediation.

He holds LLB and LLM (Labour Law) degrees from the UFS.

Jaco Jacobs: well-known author, he is often recognised as the most successful writer of children’s books in South Africa. He has received numerous writing awards, and regularly visits schools to give motivational talks and conduct writing workshops.

He has written more than 150 books for toddlers, children, and young adults and translated over 250 children’s books in his career up to now.
He holds a BA Communication Sciences (cum laude) degree, as well as a BA Honours (Afrikaans and Dutch) from the UFS.

Executive Management Award: Marius Janse van Rensburg and Prof Corinna Walsh

This service award is presented to an individual who has delivered exceptional service to the University of the Free State.

Marius Janse van Rensburg: a lawyer who holds a BProc degree from the UFS, he was honoured for his service in the management structures of the UFS Rugby Club for an uninterrupted period of 23 years. His inspiring, unwavering leadership – for which he has received no remuneration over the years – has helped cement the UFS Rugby Club as one of the leading amateur rugby clubs in the country.

Prof Corinna Walsh: Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the UFS, and an NRF C3-rated researcher, she was honoured for her involvement in research relating to nutrition and health epidemiology. She serves as Chairperson of the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA) and on various community-engagement and editorial boards. She is recognised nationally and internationally as an accomplished researcher, scholar, and for her philanthropic community-orientated work. She holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Dietetics from the UFS.

Kovsie Ambassador Award: Louzanne Coetzee, Angie Khumalo, and Kesa Molotsane

The Kovsie Ambassador Award is bestowed upon an individual whose achievements have brought distinction to him/her, benefited his/her community, and brought credit to the University of the Free State.

Louzanne Coetzee: athlete and residence head of the Akasia residence at the UFS, she holds the world record for the 5 000 m in the T11 (totally blind) category and was the first totally blind female to clock a sub-20 minutes in this distance. She also holds the African record in the 1 500 m.

She holds a BA and BAHons in Integrated and Corporate Marketing Communication, as well as an MA Social Cohesion and Reconciliation from the UFS.

Angie Khumalo: celebrated Johannesburg-based radio broadcaster, she works as a successful sports and news reader and movie reviewer. She also co-hosted the TV tourism programme Vaya Mzanzi, traversing the country on a motorbike, and is a passionate farmer.

She holds a BSc and BSc Honours (Botany and Genetics) from the UFS.

Kesa Molotsane: a professional athlete, she has been described as the country’s most versatile middle-distance athlete – achieving on track, cross-country, and the road-running scene. She is also well-known for her involvement in community projects, such as being an ambassador for the Mother and Child Academic Hospital (MACAH).
She holds the following UFS qualifications: BA General Management, Basic Labour Law certificate, Advanced Labour Law certificate, Alternative Dispute Resolution certificate.

Front from left; Kesa Molotsane, Louzanne Coetzee; Angie Khumalo (back from left); Dr Piter du Toit; Dr Khotso Mokhele; Mr Willem Louw and Prof Francis Petersen

From the left; Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor; Dr Pieter du Toit; Prof Corina Walsh, Marius Janse Van Rensburg; Willem Louw, Chairperson of Council and Prof Francis Petersen

From the left; Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor; Dr Pieter du Toit; Dr Riana Scheepers; Willem Louw,Chairperson of Council and Prof Francis Petersen

Secret programme Item: Mr Willem Louw and Dr Pieter du Toit presented the Honorary Alumnus Award to Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor.

News Archive

UFS policies want to help all students

2005-03-09

The death of Hannes van Rensburg, a first-year student from the JBM Hertzog residence, this past weekend, placed various aspects of student life in the spotlight. Dr Natie Luyt, Dean: Student Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the UFS explain which policies are in place to counter these practices.

At all tertiary institutions there are rules and policies to guide students and provide direction for certain behaviour and practices. The same applies to the University of the Free State (UFS).

“At the beginning of the year the UFS provides every residence committee with a manual to establish a framework for meaningful and orderly relations within and among residences on the campus,” said Dr Natie Luyt.

However, it is one thing to set rules, but it is an impossible task to enforce all aspects thereof. Policies currently in place include an alcohol policy, a policy on the induction of first years and a policy on banned practices in residence orientation.

“The alcohol policy was compiled in cooperation with students and their input was constantly asked,” said Dr Luyt. We also liaise on a continuous basis with residences and senior students to encourage the responsible use of alcohol, especially around activities like intervarsities and Rag.

In the policy, recognition is given to the right and voluntary and informed choice of every individual to use alcohol on the UFS campus in a responsible way.

Guidelines for the use of alcohol on campus include among others the following:

Only authorised points of sale will be permitted on campus. In this case it is the various league halls in most of the male residences on campus.

Alcohol will only be made available during fixed times and is not permitted in residence rooms.

All alcohol-related functions are regulated and an application for a temporary alcohol license must be obtained from the Dean: Student Affairs.

The UFS obtained a liquor license in March 2004 which must be administered by senior leagues in various residences on campus. Normal liquor license conditions and the county’s liquor laws apply. Liquor can only be sold to members of the senior league (or special guests) and also to persons over the age of 18 years. Liquor may not be used in public (outside the senior league) or on campus.

The senior leagues may only be open three nights per week and within prescribed times. No liquor could be used in any other place than the senior league halls. Senior leagues could buy liquor from club monies generated by themselves.

The right of senior leagues to serve liquor was suspended by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, on Monday 7 March 2005 – pending an investigation of the recent events on campus.

The policy on banned practices include among others that no swearing and shouting at first-years may take place, no first-year student may be targeted individually, no senior may enter the room of a first-year student without an invitation or permission from that first-year student and no senior under the influence of alcohol may have contact with first-year students.

The induction of first-year students takes place by means of three functions, namely an information function (the introduction to the various facets and possibilities of the university system), an induction function (the first-year student becomes involved in various campus and residence activities) and a development function (the first-year student is motivated to take charge of his development potential).

No first-year induction activity may commence before the residence committee’s contracting with the senior students is not completed. This meeting is attended by the residence head and all senior students. The induction policy, residence induction policy of first-year students and first-year rules are discussed.

The senior students sign an attendance list to show that he/she was informed about the policies. A senior who does not sign, may not be involved with any induction session with first-year students.

No physical contact is allowed during the conclusion of the first-year students’ official induction period. The induction of first-year students as full members of the residence is a prestige event, presented by the residence committee. No physical or degrading activities may take place.

The Dean: Student Affairs also has a daily meeting with the primarii of all the residences during the induction period. This helps to monitor the situation and counter any problem behaviour or tendencies.

“Enforced behaviour – where a senior student forces a first-year student to do something against his/her own free wil – is not allowed. Where there is any sign of this, it is met wortel en tak uitgeroei,” said Dr Luyt.

“In any group of people – whether it is a group of students or people at a workplace – there will always be those who will break the rules or those who would like to see how far they could push it.

The SRC, the UFS management and myself are and will stay committed to make each student’s life on this campus a school of learning and an experience which would be remembered for ever,” said Dr Luyt.

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