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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

Eusebius McKaiser talks about the magic of books

2013-03-19

Eusebius McKaiser
Photo: Johan Roux
19 March 2013

“If you want to turn around this country in terms of the rot in education, you have to start reading. You have to read for your degree."

This was the message from writer and political analyst, Eusebius McKaiser, at a public lecture hosted by the UFS Library and Information Services to celebrate South African Library Week.

Addressing the audience that consisted mostly of students, McKaiser, author of “A Bantu in my bathroom,” said it is not too late to start reading.

"We claim we are too busy as adults, but what is the opportunity cost of not reading? I think we lose our humanity, our sense of awe in the world around us when we stop reading as adults. Instead of saying we are too busy, we will do well to ask ourselves what is the cost of no longer reading as much as we did when we were children."

Reading from some of his favourite books, McKaiser spoke about writing techniques and the magic of books. He read excerpts from JM Coetzee's book “Disgrace,” which he considers to be the most important South African novel. He also read paragraphs from books by Rian Malan, James Baldwin and K Sello Duiker – calling the latter a genius.

Reflecting on the role of fiction, McKaiser said the genre is misunderstood and not utilised sufficiently by academics. "We see fiction as something restricted to the English Department or literary departments. I think fiction can be used as a tool in many departments in the humanities. It gives more real material for exploring complicated questions in the humanities and thought experiments that resemble life."

McKaiser also discussed the role of librarians and writers, saying writers should write what they like, but should not ignore the context. "As academics, librarians, teachers, we have to write for the context in which we teach. We have to order books for the context in which we are librarians and as academics we must not write textbooks for students who live in New York. We have to write textbooks for students who come from townships.”

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