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Dr Francois Smith wants his new book, Die kleinste ramp denkbaar, to be a journey to uncover the real disaster.
The new book by Dr Francois Smith from the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, Die kleinste ramp denkbaar, is a compelling story about a medical doctor in a typical Free State town. Writing is second nature for Dr Smith, if not first – as evidenced by the success of his debut novel, Kamphoer.

“The success of my previous novel, Kamphoer, greatly contributed to the fact that I was able to get a job at the UFS, especially to teach creative writing,” says Dr Smith, who is currently a Lecturer in Afrikaans and Creative Writing at the University of the Free State (UFS). He does not want to divulge too much about the new book, but says “the story is about a medical doctor in a typical Free State town in whose consulting room a policeman is lying all but senseless from a high fever one morning.” 

The title of the book implies that we all have some kind of disaster fantasy and that the disaster mentioned in the book exists largely in the imagination of the main character – the doctor; that it is something he wants to see. “I am not going to reveal it completely, because in a sense the book is a search for what the disaster is really about,” says Dr Smith. 

For any author, the takeaway message of a book is important. It should touch the lifestyle of the reader in some way. Dr Smith wants Die kleinste ramp denkbaar to say something meaningful about life here in South Africa – “about what makes life here meaningful, or what it is that makes it possible for us to live in the midst of what we experience as a total disaster.” 


Creative Writing a UFS success story

Creative Writing, presented by the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, is one of the many success stories that the department is proud of. Dr Smith is part of the formidable team driving the course; also part of the team is Prof Henning Pieterse, a Hertzog Prize-winning poet. 

The success of the course is not only evident from the number of applications, but also from the stream of publications from their stable.  “There will be three this year; in addition to mine, there was also the collection of short stories, Luistervink, by Madré Marais, and later this year Anton Roodt’s novel, Weerlose meganika, will be published,” says Dr Smith.



Die kleinste ramp denkbaar was published by Tafelberg Publishers and is part of the many success stories of the department’s Creative Writing course. 

Watch short video clip below:


News Archive

UFS offers bursaries for interpreters
2005-12-01

The Unit for Language Management (previously Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment) at the University of the Free State (UFS) is offering bursaries to persons who want to apply for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) for 2006. 

The Unit was involved in the setting up of a comprehensive interpreting infrastructure at the Free State Legislature and provided the interpreting services for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the latter’s full duration.

“The UFS supports a multilingual society.  Our language policy, which was approved by the Council in 2003, is a striking example.  This policy is in accordance with the national movement towards multilingualism and the recognition of language rights.  Through the training of interpreters the UFS is empowering others to exercise their language rights and to partake meaningfully in formal conversations,“ said Prof Theo du Plessis, head of the UFS Unit for Language Management (ULM). 

“The UFS has been using interpreter services at executive management meetings and other occasions such as meetings, seminars and conferences for several years.  The demand for these services has risen quite considerably.  We have found that the current three interpreters on the Main Campus will soon not be able to cope with this demand,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis institutions like the Mangaung Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality use the interpreter services of the ULM on a regular basis. 
“Because the demand for interpreter services is becoming so great, the demand for trained interpreters is also increasing.  This is why we are offering bursaries for persons who want to be trained as interpreters to register in 2006 for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) as offered by the UFS Department of Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis the UFS will be able to use these students on an ad-hoc basis to assist with interpreter services on the Main Campus or to deliver interpreter services to institutions outside the UFS. 

The bursaries will preferably be awarded to persons with English as mother tongue with an above average knowledge of Afrikaans or Sesotho.  The duration of the bursaries is one year and only tuition fees will be paid.  “To qualify for the bursaries, prospective students must have an undergraduate qualification,” said Prof du Plessis.

The closing date for applications is 25 January 2006.  For any enquiries, Mrs Susan Lombaard can be contacted at (051) 401-2405 or 072 605 4966 during office hours or at lombasc.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
1 December 2005
 

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