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Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Dean’s Medal winners

09 October 2020 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

EMS graduation — Jan Johannes van Niekerk and Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer

This year, two proud recipients of the Dean’s Medal were honoured during the 2020 UFS Virtual Graduation Ceremony. Jan Johannes van Niekerk received the award for the best results in respect of a Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Bachelor of Accounting), and Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer was awarded the medal for the student who achieved the best results in respect of a Bachelor Honours Degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Bachelor of Commerce Honours with specialisation in Marketing).

Jan Johannes van Niekerk

Prior to commencing his studies at the UFS, Van Niekerk attended Fichardt Park High School in Bloemfontein. Van Niekerk describes his time thus far as a student in the School of Accountancy as “nothing less than special”. He adds that “… the support from the lecturers is really great … every lecturer has always tried to help me to the best of their ability!”

His favourite subject is Financial Accounting, and his Financial Accounting lecturers inspired him to follow in their footsteps; accordingly, he became a Financial Accounting tutor in his second and third years of study. “As academic staff, we have come to know Johan as a pleasant and well-mannered, diligent, and hardworking student who pays attention to detail,” says Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director: School of Accountancy.

Johan is completing his BAcc Honours studies this year and will commence his training contract with Enslins Auditors in 2021 to qualify as a chartered accountant (SA).

Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer
“Pierré Koekemoer is one of the most decent young men I’ve met in years. Hardworking, diligent, and one of the most respectful and responsible people I know,” says Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Associate Professor in the Department of Business Management.

Pierre Koekemoer was identified as the Best Honours Student for 2019 in the School of Accountancy, as well as the student with the best Honours script. Koekemoer excelled during his Honours year, and successfully managed his responsibilities as student assistant/marker; he was also part of the City Lodge Marketing project that took place during the second semester.

The General Manager of the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi, Kenia, offered Koekemoer a short internship at the beginning of 2020, as he was impressed with his performance. Koekemoer could not accept the job, as he had obtained permanent employment and did not want to lose the position. “This also speaks of his integrity, as he had already committed to the company,” comments Prof Neneh.

News Archive

Breyten Breytenbach shares his words and philosophies

2013-03-05

Breyten Breytenbach
Photo: Johan Roux
02 March 2013

The Department of Philosophy at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted Breyten Breytenbach as part of its Colloquium series.

In a packed Odeion theatre, Breytenbach shared his words and views relating to poetry and philosophy. The session was chaired by Prof Pieter Duvenhage from the Department of Philosophy, who noted the symbiotic relationship which exists between the two seemingly distinct disciplines.

Breytenbach is one of South Africa’s best-known literary sons, gaining worldwide recognition for his writings and poetry, as well as his political activism against the erstwhile Apartheid regime. He left the country in 1960 due to Apartheid and settled in Paris where his first collection of poetry was published in 1964. It was the beginning of a prizewinning literary career spanning multiple languages and decades.

He returned illegally in 1975 in order to agitate against the repressive National Party government, but was arrested, spending seven years in prison after being charged with terrorism.

The audience was treated to a reading from an unpublished work from Breytenbach, A letter to my daughter. The lengthy letter outlined Breytenbach's world views, his sense of the creative process, his philosophies and his takes on current and historical events.

A large part of the letter focused on the philosophical and emotional processes involved in writing.“Writing is the travelling of its own landscape; landscapes and rooms that may always have been there,” he said.

He noted that it’s not always an easy process, and that sometimes writers need to explore the abysses, which can be unnerving.

“In this regard it is important to know that emptiness exists,” he said.

He stressed his concern over some of the problems the country currently faces, especially the abuse of state institutions. He was especially worried about the abuse of power. He warned that “power has its own predatory identity,” often abused and misused by those who wield it.

Despite his misgivings, Breytenbach still retains his optimism for the country and its people. He remarked that the country and its many diverse cultures resembles a “fantastic patchwork blanket,” one that should be cherished and protected.

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