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#UFSWomen: Dr Samantha Potgieter – in the front line of the fight against COVID-19

16 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Supplied

Dr Samantha Potgieter new — Dr Samantha Potgieter – in the front line of the fight against COVID-19 .

Dr Samantha Potgieter is an infectious disease expert at the Universitas Academic Hospital and affiliated Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS). She was also the first health-care worker to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the Free State. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, her main focus was on complicated HIV and drug-resistant TB as well as hospital-acquired infections. Since the emergence of COVID-19, she has been managing the COVID-19 clinical response at Universitas.

What is the best thing about your job?
I work in an amazing team with colleagues who, after 14 years, I can say have become friends.

What is the best and worst decision you have ever made?

Marrying the person that I did is by far the best decision I have ever made. And I must be honest, I regret very few of my decisions. Even the bad ones have turned out to be learning opportunities.

What was/is the biggest challenge of your career?

Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as an infectious disease physician was by far the biggest challenge of my career. It was an equally fascinating learning curve and an immense privilege to be in a position to contribute.

What does the word woman mean to you?

The word woman means a million different things. We are daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, and friends. We are strong when we need to be and yet vulnerable with those we love. We can be powerful but kind. I love being a woman.

Which woman inspires you, and why?

My mom. She is hands down the kindest person I know. Her quiet strength and her grace – she is everything I strive to be.

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

I spent a lot of time wondering what life is all about, and I still don’t have the answers. But I think I would tell the 15-year-old me to remember that life doesn’t have to be perfect or easy in order to be good.

What is the one self-care thing that you do?

Cuddling my little ones – it’s my very favourite thing to do.

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?

I am a woman, and I think all women are these things. We all have the capacity to care for those around us and to change our small corner of the earth for the better.

I cannot live without … my tribe of sisters, they make me laugh, they hold me up.

My secret weapon is … an early start to the day.

I always have … an extremely messy car (it’s really not my fault)

I will never … buy a pressure cooker – a good friend has put the fear of life into me!

I hope … that my daughter will grow up in a world where she will also be able to say that she loves being a woman.

News Archive

Nine Kovsie students awarded NAC bursaries

2015-02-19

The UFS is proud to announce that nine of our Drama and Theatre Arts undergraduate students have been awarded National Arts Council (NAC) bursaries for their studies in 2015.

From the left in the photograph, these students are:

• Mbuyiselo Nqodi (first year)
• Marike Jonker (second year)
• Monique de Klerk (second year)
• Aldine van der Merwe (third year)
• Kado Cloete (third year)
• Rondo Mpiti (third year)
• Magnus McPhail (third year)
• Olivia Wyngaard (third year)
• Marica Laing (second year)

This year the amount awarded for the NAC busaries is R70 000.

Since 2005, the NAC has given bursaries to the UFS for the last 10 years. The amount varies from year to year.

“The number of undergraduate students who benefit varies depending on the amount allocated each year,” said Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Drama and Theatre Arts Department at the UFS.

“Some years, the NAC prescribes how many students will be awarded a bursary and provides a profile of gender and academic prerequisites. Other years, such as the present one, there is no prescription and the UFS was able to cater for the applications submitted, and the number of students who will benefit, within the amount awarded. Normally, it is divided between successful candidates.”

The criteria according to which NAC bursaries are awarded to students every year include academic merit and, of course, their financial situation.”

“The full information of applicants from the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts is checked by the selection committee – all permanent members of staff in the department. The names are then sent to the NAC for approval.
UFS Finances ensures further that the bursary money is paid into the student’s class fees account. During the year and at the end, I report to the NAC on the progress shown by bursary holders. This, in turn, contributes to the excellent co-operation with the NAC so that the following year’s application is then generally successful,” says Luwes.

Bursary monies cover mainly registration and class fees for some or all modules, depending on the amount awarded.

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