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UFS crowned 2021 Varsity Netball champions

31 August 2021 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Varsity Sports

Netball Win 1 copy — The UFS celebrates its 55-39 win over Stellenbosch University in the final of the Varsity Netball tournament. This is their fourth crown in eight years.

After losing to Stellenbosch University in the opening round of Varsity Netball, the University of the Free State (UFS) kept the trust and smashed the same opponents eight days later to lift the trophy.

The UFS netball team claimed their fourth crown – two more than any other team in the eight years of the competition – when they won the final by 55-39 in Stellenbosch on Monday night (30 August 2021).

This is the biggest victory margin in a final. The UFS team has now won all four finals in which they participated.

According to coach Burta de Kock, she did not say much to the players after their first-round loss by eight goals. It was their only defeat in nine matches.

“I left them alone and I knew they would fix what had to be fixed. We kept the trust the whole time.”

“The players promised one another before the final that they would bring their best to the court. We are blessed to have such wonderful players taking the lead and guiding and mentoring the youngsters,” De Kock said.

Captain Sikholiwe Mdletshe also mentioned the first encounter as the turning point. “We got the team together and decided to fight as an army. We never looked back.”

Khanyisa Chawane, who was the Player of the Match in both the final and semi-final, said, “We told ourselves we are going to a final and we are going to win it, and that is the mindset we came here with and what took us through.”

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the champions. “Under the leadership of coach Burta de Kock and captain Sikholiwe Mdletshe, the team worked exceptionally hard to reach the top, and their commitment and courage paid off.”

“Thank you also to the rest of the coaching staff. The final was spectacular, and we are proud of what they have achieved. I salute our champions on behalf of the entire university community,” Prof Petersen said.

News Archive

Co-architect of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland to present Annual Reconciliation Lecture today

2015-03-03

Colm McGivern, Director of the British Council in South Africa

To emphasise the University of the Free State’s Human Project, the UFS has positioned itself as an institution that is recognised across the world not only for excellence in academic achievement, but also in human reconciliation. The Annual Reconciliation Lecture, whose organising committee is chaired by Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, is a unique and major initiative to enhance this important vision of our university.

This year, Colm McGivern, Director of the British Council in South Africa, will present the Fourth Annual Reconciliation Lecture at the Centenary Hall on Thursday 5 March 2015.

Colm McGivern was brought up in Northern Ireland at the height of the conflict that has come to be known as the ‘Troubles.’ His early experiences of conflict, sectarianism, and living in a divided society have driven his career, and his personal commitment to peace-building and promoting reconciliation. He was a student leader at Queen’s University in Belfast during the time of the first IRA Ceasefires in the 1990s, and then worked in the Higher and Further Education sectors, and at a community level with peace-building groups across Northern Ireland and internationally. He was Director of the British Council in Northern Ireland for four years and, in that role, facilitated discussions between divided communities before and during the Ceasefires and Peace Process, with a particular focus on bringing young people together across Ireland.

In his role as Director of the British Council, McGivern has created thousands of cultural and educational connections between the UK and SA. Every year, he ensures that young South Africans can get access to educational and cultural opportunities that are life-changing while deepening their connection with the UK.

A highlight of this year’s lecture will be a performance by musicians from the Odeion School of Music, Tumi Ntantiso (soprano), Bertha Menyatso (mezzo-soprano), Malefetsane Mofokeng (baritone), and Cezarre Strydom (piano). They will be performing works from ‘Tales of Hoffmann’ by Jacques Offenbach, among others.

Members of the public and media are welcome.

RSVP: Jo-Anne Naidoo, e-mail: Naidooja@ufs.ac.za

Date: Thursday 5 March 2015
Time: 17:30 (please be seated by 17:15)
Venue: Centenary Complex, Bloemfontein Campus

The event will be streamed live on: http://livestream.ufs.ac.za/

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