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22 July 2020 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied
Tau Tladi.

In times of great difficulty, a tale of hope goes a long way in encouraging one to persevere. Tau Tladi, a second-year LLB extended-programme student who was diagnosed with ataxia – a degenerative disease of the nervous system – at a young age, has conquered many adversities. He is living his life to the fullest, pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer one day. Because of a brain injury during birth, Tladi struggles to speak, write, or walk. On campus, he makes use of a scribe and reader to write his tests and exams. 

Learning from others key to success

“Living with ataxia means I have improper speech, I struggle to walk properly, my hands can’t grab things properly, and I can’t even write with them.   Seeing other people living with disabilities and still pursuing their dreams has inspired me a lot; it made me realise that I too have the ability to achieve my dreams,” he said. 
While this disability presented him with many hindrances in life, it has never held him back. “Growing up was challenging because I was not able to develop like other children. As I got older, I could not experience some of the things that other kids could do, such as playing and running around,” he said.

Triumph in the face of adversity
 
Despite all the challenges, Tau completed his matric in 2016 and was even named as one of the top 100 achievers in the Free State. He describes his admission to the LLB programme as a dream come true. “I have always wanted to study an LLB degree. It is the best feeling ever to be at university and studying something that I always wanted to do. I would love to become an attorney.”

Tladi hopes to finish his degree in 2021. He is also an avid sportsman, having participated in the Free State paracycling team and winning first place at the national competition. 

“Living with disability has never been easy for me, so I have learned to be grateful and use every opportunity that I come across and work very hard to fulfil my dreams.”

Hanlie Grobler, Senior Officer in the Faculty of Law, described Tladi as a remarkable young man who always wears a smile on his face. “If you are feeling a bit blue today, cheated by COVID-19, that life is unfair to you – remember this young man who is an excellent example of determination, and do what you have to do, to the best of your ability, and be thankful for what you have.”

News Archive

Postdoc student broadens the interpretation of being productive
2013-09-16

 

Abdon Atangana
13 September 2013

Postdoc student Abdon Atangana (27) in the Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS) brings a new dimension to the word ‘productive’. Since the beginning of this year he has published 23 articles in accredited journals. He is also guest editor in two reputed scientific journals.

Atangana – originally from Cameroon – enrolled at the UFS in 2009, finishing his BSc Honours in Applied Mathematics in one year. By the end of 2010 he could add MSc in Applied Mathematics to his CV. If this was not an accomplishment enough in itself, he passed both degrees cum laude. In 2011 he tackled his PhD in Geohydrology and submitted his final thesis in January 2013 – being the youngest PhD graduate at the Winter Graduation.

Besides his impressive publishing success, an additional 28 of his papers are currently under review by international journals in Applied Mathematics.

Atangana’s accomplishments in the publishing arena are phenomenal. He is lead guest editor for the special issue on Theory, Methods, and Applications of Fractional Calculus in The Scientific World Journal. He is also guest editor for the special issue on Analytical and Numerical Approaches for Complicated Nonlinear Equations in Abstract and Applied Analysis.Furthermore, he has been appointed on the editorial board of New Trends in Mathematical Sciences and is a reviewer for nine international accredited journals in Applied Mathematics.

This extraordinary academic has already presented papers on international conferences in America, Turkey and Thailand as well.

Atangana is truly the embodiment of the UFS’ core value of inspiring excellence.

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