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27 August 2021 | Story Ruan Bruwer
Louzanne Coetzee at the Paralympics in Tokyo with her two guides, Claus Kempen (left) and Estean Badenhorst. She is one of 34 members in Team South Africa.

For some athletes, the postponement of the Paralympics was a big frustration, but for Louzanne Coetzee it was a ‘blessing in disguise’.

According to the former University of the Free State (UFS) student and current Residence Head of Akasia on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, she was more than happy to get another 12 months to prepare herself to the very best of her ability. She will be in action at the Tokyo Paralympics in the 1 500 m on Sunday (29 August 2021) and Monday (30 August). On 5 September, she will tackle the marathon. It is her second Paralympics. 

“This is the most exited I have ever been for an event. It has been so long since I was able to compete on a high level. I think it is a blessing in disguise. It allowed me more time to prepare. I’m in a great state and I cannot wait,” she said.

In the 1 500 m, Coetzee will be guided by Estean Badenhorst. In the marathon she will run next to Claus Kempen, with whom she has completed a couple of marathons before.
“They are both very experienced and I’m fortunate to have such a great team with me. When you are running an event like the 1 500 m, you need to fully trust your guide with his decision making.”

“The main focus is the track item. I won’t put too much pressure on myself in the marathon. The prime goal is to gain experience in the longer distance, because that is where I’ll be shifting in the future,” she explained.

The South African 1 500 m record holder in the T11 classification (totally blind) clocked a personal best time of 4:51.65 in 2019. She is the world record holder in the 5 000 m; however, the item does not feature on the Paralympic programme. 

News Archive

Two honorary doctorates part of highlights at UFS graduations
2017-11-30


  Description: Dec gradspeakers Tags: Graduation Ceremonies, Prof Paul Holloway, Marius Botha, Joyene Isaacs, Likeleli Monyamane, Leah Molatseli, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman

  Leah Molatseli (left), Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, and Likeleli Monyamane will be
  the guest speakers during the End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies
  at the University of the Free State.
  Photos: Supplied, www.mudboots.co.za

Roads and entrance closed due to roadworks on the Bloemfontein Campus

Graduation Livestream

Two honorary doctorates and a Chancellor’s medal will be some of the highlights during the End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus will once again welcome graduates, their parents, friends, and relatives for the celebrations on 6 and 7 December 2017. A total number of 1226 qualifications, including diplomas, certificates, and degrees, will be conferred during the two days.

Altogether 40 doctorates and 109 master’s degrees will be awarded. Most doctorates (19) will be awarded in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, while most of the master’s degrees (27) are in the same faculty.

Prof Holloway, Botha, and Isaacs honoured
Prof Paul Holloway (Natural and Agricultural Sciences) and Marius Botha (Law) will receive honorary doctorates during the afternoon ceremony on 7 December 2017, while Joyene Isaacs (Natural and Agricultural Sciences) will be honoured with a Chancellor’s Medal.

Prof Holloway is an internationally acclaimed expert in the science and technology of surfaces, thin films, and nanoparticles, and Botha has played a significant role in financial planning in South Africa. Isaacs is the Head of Department of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and her department has been nominated by the South African Institute of Government Auditors as the best government department. 

Young leader, young alumnus, and humanitarian

Likeleli Monyamane, Leah Molatseli, and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman will be the guest speakers at the ceremonies.

Monyamane, a UFS Council member, will address graduates on 6 December 2017 during the morning ceremony. She is one of 15 young leaders selected to represent Lesotho as participants in the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States. In 2016, Molatseli, the speaker during the afternoon session on 6 December 2017, launched South Africa’s first legal ecommerce website, Lenoma Legal, and is the university’s most recent Young Alumnus of the Year.

Dr Sooliman, the speaker at both ceremonies on 7 December 2017, is the founder and Director of the Gift of the Givers Foundation. He has received more than 100 national and international awards, citations, commendations, and special recognition for his humanitarian work.

Date: 6 December 2017
Time: 09:00: All qualifications up to Honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (including the Business School) and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
14:30: All qualifications up to Honours degrees in the Faculties of Education, Law, the Humanities, and Theology

Date: 7 December 2017

Time: 09:00: All qualifications up to Honours degrees in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Educational qualifications in Open Distance Learning – South Campus
14:30: Master’s and Doctoral degrees in all faculties

For information about the ceremonies, click here to visit the graduation home page.

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