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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

An education system based on hope is what South Africa needs – Dr Beryl Botman

2016-05-26

Description: Hope revised Tags: Hope revised

Dr Beryl Botman, a postdoctoral research
fellow at the IRSJ, with Dr Willy Nel research associate
at the IRSJ and lecturer at the UFS
Faculty of Education.

HOPE is tangible and concrete construct that should be rooted in the learning and training of teachers,” said Dr Beryl Botman, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ).

She presented her research paper Educators, praxis, and hope: A philosophical analysis of post-apartheid teacher education policy, based on the theoretical ideologies of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. She explores ways in which oppression has been justified, and how it has been overcome through a mutual process between the oppressor and the oppressed, drawing on Paolo Freire’s theories and practices. The presentation was held at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Education, on the Bloemfontein campus on 13 May 2016.

From oppression to hope
Hope should be an educational construct for teacher education in South Africa. Dr Botman asserts that epistemology and ontology should be inseparable, as they are pivotal to an education system that is transformational.

The recent country-wide student protests and demonstrations are an indicant that education institutions need to seek understanding of mechanisms that fuel social conflict. Dr Botman claims that vast social inequalities make the process of democratisation difficult thus hindering transformation. She states that a critical consciousness is important for all South Africans, but more so for educators; it can be used as a tool to understanding the mechanisms of social conflict.

“Self-reflection and self-critique is vital for educators, we need to understand that we do not have all the answers because we ever-evolving beings, working on understanding ourselves and the people around us,” said Dr Botman.

The notion of hope
“I am a farmer. I have no hope for a future that is different from today. This quotation comes from Paulo Freire’s work," said Dr Botman. She said that the South African context and environment is similar. She said that people cannot live for today; one should live for tomorrow if hope is to manifest itself.

South African education environment needs to adopt a progressive consciousness that is future orientated, “You need to be hopeful, if you are radical. You need to be able to envision a new society and a new world,” said Dr Botman.

“You cannot only denounce the present, you need to also announce your hopes for a new society. South Africa needs education systems built on understanding. Although change is difficult, it is necessary for transformation,” Dr Botman added.

What makes hope educational?
“Hope is a vision for a tomorrow that is different, and vital for a transformative education system. To get out of a state of despair, people need to educate their hope. Lately, the issue of white privilege has been brought to the fore. You need to educate your hope, so that you understand the reality of others but, more importantly, of yourself,” said Dr Botman.

Dr Botma added that teacher education needs to adopt a Freirean pedagogy with a strong philosophy based on hope. The agency of teachers can either be hopeful or without hope. It is vital that education promotes hope.

“Teachers need to rely on their existential experience, the experiences of others, and the experiences of the children or students they teach. An understanding of all these experience reinforces the idea that people are life-long learners, always learning and adapting to society’s needs,” said Dr Botman.

Teachers as agents of hope
Dr Botman stated that current South African education policy is directed towards transformation but it does not stipulate means to achieve this objective. Further, she argues that educators need to put greater emphasis on self-knowledge, self-reflection, and self-education. Connecting with teachers, parents, students and the community engages with their self-knowledge and reflection.

Reorientation of teacher education
Dr Botman concluded by mentioning that rethinking ontological and epistemological aspects of education is important, and should be a pivotal point of teacher education. A renewed vision of hope-orientated philosophy and pedagogy needs to be adopted by the education institutions. A praxis, which is an informed action, when a balance between theory and practice is achieved. There is a need for an inclusive exploration of education philosophies and education systems not only European and Western but also African and Eastern as well.

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