Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
26 June 2020 | Story Nitha Ramanth | Photo Valentino Ndaba
Takudzwa Nyamunda.
Takudzwa Nyamunda is the proud new representative of the University of the Free State (UFS) for the 2020 Commonwealth Future Student Leadership programme. Nominated at a recent workshop themed ‘Reimagining Peace’, organised by the Association of Commonwealth Universities in collaboration with the British Council and the Durban University of Technology, Takudzwa demonstrated exceptional leadership, coupled with his experience of issues related to the UFS student committee, which provided the perfect foundation for his selection. 

“From a personal point of view, this was one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had, both in terms of the relationships established and the world knowledge gained. I am personally grateful for the opportunity to attend and would support any further initiative of this nature. I think the essence of this workshop was to encourage the young leaders present – all of whom were active citizens in their communities in one way or another – to continue fighting the good fight. The core message from the panellists was that it is all worth it in the end, and that even in the face of adversity and discouragement, we should keep fighting for the work we believe in,” says Takudzwa. 

Participants from 13 nations, including activists and thought leaders on non-violence affiliated with the International Centre of Nonviolence, the Gandhi Development Trust, and the Commonwealth Countering Violent Extremism Unit, contributed to the workshop. Over the course of three days, participants were divided into five groups and worked together on projects linked to three main themes – gender-based violence, global warming, and inequality.

The selection committee was convened by the Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation, Prof Corli Witthuhn, and facilitated by the Office for International Affairs. Currently in the final year of his Master of Industrial Psychology degree, Takudzwa’s wealth or experience includes being the founder and first president of the International Students Association (2016), and holder of the International Student portfolio as Student Representative Council (SRC) member (2017), coupled with being co-founder and first vice-chairperson of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP): UFS Chapter and Vice-president of the SABPP National Youth Council (2019).

“I will continue to do what I have been doing for the past five years at the UFS, which is to make a difference in my sphere of influence”, says Takudzwa. 

News Archive

Kovsie alumni honoured
2012-09-10

Mr Mickey Gordon, Head of Marketing at the UFS, with Jaco Loubser (right), Kovsie Alumnus of the Year.
Photo: Dries Myburg
10 September 2012 

Jaco Loubser, the producer of television programmes such as Shoreline on SABC and Groen, Roer and MK Kampus on kykNET has been named as the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year by the University of the Free State (UFS). Loubser and five other Kovsie alumni were honoured for outstanding achievements and contributions at the Kovsie Alumni Awards held on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Jaco, who obtained a master’s degree in Zoology from the UFS, received the award for outstanding achievements on national and international level for his contribution to and development of the South African film and television industry.

Prof. Stephen Brown, Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Prof. Hennie Theron, Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology, received the Cum Laude Award for exceptional service for a specific profession. Profs. Brown and Theron were recognised as pioneers in the development and application of medical technology, as well as for their pioneering work in paediatric care.

The Kovsie Alumni Awards for outstanding service to the UFS was also shared by two people, namely Prof. Hendri Kroukamp, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and Advocate Wessels Oosthuizen, Director of the Centre for Financial Planning Law at the UFS. The Kovsie Ambassador’s Award went to Prof. Matie Hoffman, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics.

Jaco thanked Prof. Hoffman in his speech and said it was good to share the stage with one of his former lecturers. Jaco, who has received numerous awards for his television programmes, said the Kovsie Alumni Award was unexpected and it was a great honour to receive it from his alma mater.
 

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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