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22 April 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Evert Kleynhans
An award-winning South African short-story writer, novelist, and poet; an acclaimed business leader who worked in former president Nelson Mandela’s government; and a former judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. These are some of the well-known South Africans celebrated during the University of the Free State’s (UFS) April virtual graduation ceremonies. 

Over the course of four days, from 19 to 22 April 2021, the UFS awarded just over 7 900 qualifications to under- and postgraduate students, as well as three honorary doctorates, during its biggest virtual graduation ceremonies to date.

Recognising their outstanding achievements in South Africa and abroad, the UFS awarded honorary doctorates to Dr Dolf van Niekerk (DLitt (h.c.)), Dr Sipho Pityana (DPhil (h.c.)), and Dr Zak Yacoob (LLD (h.c.)). Honorary degrees are given to individuals to recognise their exceptional contributions to society, or lifetime achievement in their field. 

Excellence is an action 

Dr Dolf van Niekerk received a Doctor of Letters (DLitt (h.c.)) from the UFS on 19 April 2021. He is an award-winning short-story writer, novelist, and poet. Among others, he has received the Eugene Marais Prize, the MER Prize, and the Scheepers Award for Youth Literature in the course of his career. He was an emeritus professor at the University of Pretoria until his retirement in 1994. Dr Van Niekerk registered as a first-year student at the UFS seventy-four years ago. “My years of study there were an adventure to me,” he remembered, “opening new worlds of philosophy, literature, and science. I learned to think independently, to really think.” Much is written and said about excellence, he told graduandi. “But this is what I have learned – excellence is not a thought or a word, excellence is an action.” 

Be courageous 

Acclaimed business leader, Dr Sipho Pityana, received a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil (h.c.)) from the UFS on 21 April 2021. He has served in executive capacity on several local and international boards and blue-chip companies. He is the founder and Chairman of the private investment firms, Izingwe Capital and Izingwe Holdings. He has a passion for education and was Registrar of the University of Fort Hare, Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and former Chairperson of the University of Cape Town Council. Dr Pityana advised graduandi to be resilient, disciplined, and dedicated – never to be discouraged by obstacles that come their way. “For every door that shuts in your face,” he reminded them, “there are yet many more that open. If you lament over those that shut, you may be blind to the many that not only open to you but are endowed with beautifully nourished greener pastures all waiting for you.”

Stay humble 

As judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1998 to 2013, Dr Zak Yacoob became known nationally and internationally for his contribution to the socio-economic rights jurisprudence of South Africa. He was a member of the Fundamental Rights Committee that helped with the preparation of the Bill of Rights in South Africa’s interim Constitution, of the Independent Electoral Commission responsible for ensuring that the first democratic elections in 1994 were free and fair, and of the panel of experts appointed by the Constitutional Assembly to advise during negotiations on and the drafting of the final Constitution. A Doctor of Laws (LLD (h.c.)) was awarded to him on 22 April 2021. Dr Yacoob noted that many people have contributed to who he is today, and that graduates should appreciate the support teams behind them too. “I must express the genuine hope that you will not enter society for material progress alone,” he cautioned, “but that you will be honest, caring, and sensitive members of our society.”

Change agents 

In echoing their encouraging thoughts, Prof Bonang Mohale, UFS Chancellor, told graduates that they are now all role models and South Africa needed their leadership.

“Your involvement in what matters most in this country, your willingness to act against injustice and inequality, and your courage to stand up for what is right – these actions will define you and speak volumes. Our country needs your leadership, and many have been waiting for the likes of you to come along. You hold so much power – you have earned your degree and it is now up to you to use it.”

News Archive

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
2006-05-08

Some of the guests attending the launch of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus were from the left Prof Peter Mbati (Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus), Mrs Zimbini Zwane ( Communications Manager of Sasol Infrachem), Prof Gerhardt  de Klerk (Dean : UFS Faculty of the Humanities), Prof Fred Hugo
 Director of TRAC SA) and Prof Jack van der Linde (Director of RIEP at the UFS).

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus

The Research Institute for Education Planning (RIEP) of the University of the Free State (UFS) today unveiled the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at its Qwaqwa campus.

The laboratory will be used to help grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and educators from the Qwaqwa region to conduct the experiments from the physical sciences outcome-based curriculum.

“The Sasol TRAC Laboratory introduces learners not only to the latest technology used by engineers and other scientists in practice but also to stimulate the learner’s interest in the field of science in such a way that more of them will enter into science related careers,” says Mr Cobus van Breda, Co-ordinator of the TRAC Free State Regional Centre.

According to Mr van Breda the newly established Sasol TRAC Laboratory will enable RIEP to train learners and their educators in Physical Sciences.  The laboratory will consist of six work stations equipped with computers and electronic sensors.

“Learners from the Qwaqwa region will visit the Sasol TRAC Laboratory on regular basis to conduct experiments based on the curriculum.  Data will be collected with electronic apparatus and presented as graphs on the computer so that results can be analysed and interpreted,” says Mr van Breda.

“There is a serious shortage of suitable qualified teachers in maths and science in the Qwaqwa region.  Many schools in the region are not yet part of the RIEP project and are in dire need of assistance.  A large number of these schools are in remote areas not reached regularly by intervention programmes,” says Prof Peter Mbati, Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.

“The establishment of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the Qwaqwa Campus provides us the opportunity to engage with our community and assist in the development and training of these vital education subjects.  We are pleased that Sasol agreed to fund the project,” says Prof Mbati.

Students from the Qwaqwa Campus will also benefit from the TRAC programme.   “Some promising students will also undergo further training and become assistants for the TRAC programme,” says Prof Mbati. 

“Nurturing science and mathematical skills is of great importance in growing our national economy. Annually, Sasol invests more than R50 million in supporting mathematical and science education in South Africa. Our primary aim is to increase the number of learners gaining access to tertiary education in the science fields. Therefore, our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) education interventions at secondary school level focus on educator development and direct learner interventions such as the Sasol TRAC Laboratory,” explains Ms Pamilla Mudhray, CSI and SHARP manager at Sasol.

According to Ms Mudhray the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement for physical sciences in the further education and training (FET) phase from 2006, under resourced schools will need greater access to the tools and equipment necessary to teach the syllabus and fulfil the ideals of the curriculum.

TRAC South Africa is a national non-profit programme focused on supporting and expanding science, mathematics and technology education in secondary schools. The programme was first introduced to South Africa in 1994. In 2005, RIEP established the TRAC Free State regional centre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 May 2006

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