Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
03 January 2020
|
Story Xolisa Mnukwa
|
Photo Supplied
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.
Sought-after title warms heart doctor’s heart
2013-10-02
02 October 2013
Prof Stephen Brown was recently named as Ons Stad’s Bloemfonteiner of the Year, a title Prof Brown views as “one of the greatest moments” of his life.
Prof Brown, a cardiologist in the University of the Free State’s (UFS’) Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, has dedicated his life to children’s hearts ever since he qualified as paediatrician.
He is also involved in the teaching of under- and postgraduate students, as well as the training of doctors in paediatric cardiology. He is also jointly responsible for the planning and compilation of the undergraduate training programme for final-year students.
“This title is truly one of the greatest moments of my life. I feel humbled and impressed by the quality of the nominations for the title, which makes me feel small among the others.
“As physician I appreciate it even more, because this award means that the people of our wonderful city value the achievements and work of the doctors in our city – this warms my heart.”
Under Prof Brown’s leadership, Bloemfontein’s Paediatric Cardiology Unit is the only certified and recognised unit for pulmonary-valve implants in Africa.
The development of a local prenatal fetal heart screening and diagnostic programme, as well as adult congenital heart clinics, is due to his work and passion for his study field.
At the World Congress in 2013, he was involved as operator from South Africa in the first ‘direct telecast’ of children’s heart procedures.
“I hope that the award will help in our campaign to raise awareness in the community about children’s heart diseases. They are, after all, the people I work for."
The UFS also congratulates Sheri Brynard on her nomination for the title. Paul Colditz, the winner for 2012, is also a UFS Board member.