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03 January 2020
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Story Xolisa Mnukwa
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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.
UFS appoints new Vice-Rector
2007-12-04
The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) has recently approved the appointment of Prof. Driekie Hay, currently Dean: Academic Development at the Central University of Technology (CUT), as Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS. Prof. Hay will commence with her duties on 1 January 2008.
Prof. Hay is appointed in the place of Prof. Magda Fourie who accepted a position at the University of Stellenbosch.
Before her appointment at the CUT in March 2004, Prof. Hay was the Director of the UFS Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) for a number of years. She was also involved with the Grow Our Own Timber project of the UFS. She obtained her Ph.D. in 1997 and has a strong research profile.
“Prof. Hay obtained valuable experience in senior management the past four years at the CUT, among others as acting vice-rector. Her understanding of academic planning and her exceptional expertise in staff development and
teaching-learning development makes her a very suitable candidate for the position,” said Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
“She also indicated that she has an exceptional talent for handling diversity and service delivery. She has an understanding of transformation in the context of the UFS and can play an important role in the university’s transformation process,” said Prof. Fourie.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
4 December 2007