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10 September 2020 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Mlungisi Louw
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 Prestige Scholar shares her vision on crystallography with worldwide audience
2014-04-24

 
Dr Alice Brink
Dr Alice Brink, a Prestige Scholar and lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State, was selected by UNESCO to participate, together with some 15 other young scientists from all over the world, in a round-table discussion at the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Crystallography.

During this event, that took place in Paris, France, Dr Brink could, on stage, share her vision as one of the next generation of scientists.

“The 15 crystallographers consisted of eight young, established scientists and seven ‘young-young’ scientists who are starting their careers. We participated in a group discussion in order for the crystallographic community to better understand the challenges faced by young scientists across the globe.

“It was a great privilege to be invited to be part of this talented and diverse discussion group and to hear the challenges that are faced by young scientists from different parts of the world. It is also comforting to hear that scientific difficulties that are found in South Africa are commonly experienced in both First and Third World countries,” said Dr Brink.

“Crystallography has directly influenced the development of numerous scientific fields such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering and material sciences. More inter-departmental collaboration would benefit greatly from crystallography, as this multi-faceted science provides foundation principles for applied research,” she said.

The United Nations declared 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography, and it was officially opened at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris by the Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon.

The ceremony was video-streamed live to more than 500 destinations all over the world.

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