Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
03 January 2020 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Supplied
Choir
The UFS Bloemfontein Campus, South Campus, and Qwaqwa Campus choirs are student-centred choirs functioning under the Student Affairs’ Arts, Culture and Dialogue office.

It has been a noteworthy year for the University of the Free State (UFS) Choir, establishing itself on the student/university choir scene. The choir, based on the Bloemfontein Campus, represented the UFS at the bi-annual KUESTA choir festival earlier this year, showcasing its musical talent. The choir shared a stage with other university choirs from around the country.   

The UFS (Bloemfontein Campus) Choir is a 42-member ensemble of students; the other two choirs, based on the South and Qwaqwa campuses, consist of 40 and 62 members respectively. The choirs are administered and managed by the Division of Student Affairs’ Arts, Culture and Dialogue Office. In addition to Kovsie culture, the choirs strive to have a varied repertoire of inclusive music, with the UFS BFN Campus choir performing a diversity of songs in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and Sesotho. 
 
The new South Campus choir was established in 2018 and is led by choir director, Bonisile Gcisa, who specialises in choral music. This leg of the choir will therefore perform many of his works, but will also include some of the Bloemfontein choir’s set lists, since most of the choir members will be auditioning in 2021 for the Bfn choir when they change campuses. 
 
The Qwaqwa Campus choir will lean more towards a choral genre under the direction of Sipho Khumalo. 
 
The UFS Bloemfontein Campus choir was officially re-established under the leadership of choir conductor Leona Geldenhuys in March 2018, and has performed at several events, including the Rector’s Concert, the annual KUESTA choir convention, and the Bloemfontein Choir invitational. The group has also held a number of public performances on the Thakaneng Bridge at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.  
 
“Part of the UFS Student Affairs’ objective is to create an inclusive and a socially just student lived experience, and that is the mandate the choirs will also adopt. We hope to create an experience that not only enhances our students’ singing abilities, but also contribute to a more inclusive university experience.” – Angelo Mockie – Director: UFS Student Affairs Arts, Culture and Dialogue office. 

“Rest well, be safe, and return rejuvenated,” were his parting words to students for the festive season. 
 

News Archive

A Rag procession to remember
2013-02-06

Photo: Albert van Biljon
05 February 2013


   YouTube Video

A Rag procession to remember and one of the best in years. This was the opinion of many spectators at the Kovsies’ annual Rag procession on Saturday 2 February 2013. Large numbers of people came to watch the procession moving through the streets of Bloemfontein as students showed off their floats.

A festive atmosphere prevailed along the route and some people came prepared with camping chairs and picnic baskets.

The proceedings began with a morning procession to the Twin City shopping centre in Heidedal and the Kenilworth shopping centre in Mangaung. About 10 000 food parcels were handed out in the two suburbs, while the UFS Cultural Office and KovsieFM entertained the residents.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, as well as members of the senior leadership, went along on the journey to the two suburbs. Dozens of children and adults were at the Twin City shopping centre where hundreds of balloons were released. Kovsie staff, students and members of the SRC at the Bloemfontein Campus met with members of the community and helped to hand out food parcels.

The main procession left from the Bloemfontein Campus at 18:00 and proceeded to the Old Grey’s sports grounds for the Rag concert. Rag-goers were entertained by the music group Mi Casa, the singing duo and twin brothers Locnville, as well as Bobby van Jaarsveld. People were also treated to a fireworks display.

The float of the residences Karee, Soetdoring and Imperium was announced as the winning float.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept