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04 January 2021 | Story Igno van Niekerk | Photo Francois van Vuuren (iFlair)
Anton Roodt

 The Afrikaans words, weerlose meganika, can be roughly translated as ‘vulnerable mechanics’. If you do not know the exact meaning of this, rest assured, you are not alone. At least one person does. Anton Roodt of Roodt Architects has been summoning a storm of positive reviews in the literary world with his debut offering, which is neither an environmentally friendly building nor creative historical restoration for which he is renowned, but a book.

Weerlose meganika was written as part of the requirements for Roodt’s fourth MA degree – all obtained at the University of the Free State (UFS), where the Roodts have been part of the UFS family for three generations. Anton’s father was the Head of the department of Architecture, and his son recently completed his studies in the same department. His wife, Zarine, has been involved as lecturer and research fellow in the Department of Communication Science. Roodt’s wide spectrum of interests shows in the variety of his MA degrees (Architecture, Town and Regional Planning, Environmental Management, and now – Creative Writing).

Roodt, renowned for his creativity and innovative manner of working, has barely stepped into the world of literature; yet the book, published by Tafelberg Publishers, is being described in words probably never used by critics: “verrassend vernuwend” (surprisingly refreshing), “baldadig,” (which I can only translate as ‘wildly playful’), and nostalgic science fiction.

In a Zoom conversation, Roodt shared that he wrote mostly in his spare time. Many hours of study in the buzz of architecture classrooms taught him to focus anywhere and anytime. According to Roodt, the chapters that had to be removed in the final edits of Weerlose meganika comprise sufficient material for a second book. 

Anton and his son, Leon-Pierre, both worked on the cover of Weerlose meganika: Anton designed it and Leon-Pierre was responsible for the graphics. Although publishers usually prefer to appoint their own designers, Tafelberg liked and kept the design as presented. This was no surprise, as design is not new to Anton who, as a student, was involved in the design of rag posters. During a particular rag, he realised that the poster design was extremely successful, as about 90% of them were stolen by students from lampposts and other areas. 

Roodt’s recipe for success? He is naturally curious and wants to learn more about many things. This allows him to connect with interesting people such as his fellow students and lecturers (Dr Francois Smith and Prof Henning Pieterse) in the Creative Writing course, where they kept on pushing each other to improve their work. It is clear that Roodt is on a lifelong journey of learning. And, in case you are wondering – yes, he recently started his PhD studies. At the UFS, of course.

When I asked Anton about the strange title, Weerlose meganika, he explained that he has always been fascinated by juxtapositions. He loves bringing seemingly unrelated elements together. 

Looking at the reviews, he has been successful once again. 

*** If you are curious to know more, Weerlose meganika is available at most bookstores, as well as online.

News Archive

Kovsies included in national team for 2015 World Cup in Australia
2015-06-30

Karla Mostert
Photo: Johan Roux

The success of netballers Adele Niemand (former Kovsie) and Karla Mostert (captain of the Kovsie netball team) continues - they represent Kovsies, the provincial Crinums, as well as the national SPAR Proteas as goal-keeper and goal defender, respectively. The UFS is also very proud of their inclusion in the national team for the upcoming 2015 World Cup in Australia.
 
On 6 June 2015, Niemand and Mostert played for the Free State Crinums, who overpowered the Gauteng Jaguars in the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League (NPL). This win secured the championship title for the Crinums for the second time in a row.
 
“Our aim was to improve with each game. We did this throughout the league. The final game against the Jaguars was definitely our best game, so we are very satisfied. The NPL prepared us and gave us game time, which I think, is great preparation for the Diamond Challenge,” said Mostert.
 
Niemand and Mostert represented South Africa at the Diamond Challenge in Margate from 14 to 18 June 2015.
 
Prior to the event, Burta de Kock, Head Coach of the university’s team, said, “The Diamond Challenge in Margate will be hard, because Zambia, Uganda and Malawi want to be the best in Africa. But SA has enough brilliant players to do the trick for us, and we also have a great leader as captain.”
 
Niemand and Mostert form part of the national squad selected for the upcoming 2015 World Cup in Australia. Kovsie Lauren-Lee Christians from the UFS is the only non-travelling substitute for the World Cup. In their group, the team will compete from 7 to 16 August 2015 against Malawi, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
 
For the upcoming games against the world’s best in Sydney, Niemand has set a personal goal, namely to be the best by playing every game as if it's her last, and in so doing, aims to maintain the high standard of the team.
 
Their coach’s words of encouragement for the World Cup are: “Just go out with passion and enjoy every second. Never forget you are our CHAMPS!!”
 
The SPAR Proteas have indeed proven to be champions by beating Zambië 63 - 38 in the opening match of the challenge on 16 June 2015 at the UGU Sports Centre. They continued to beat Malawi convincingly by 43 - 33, and thrashed Uganda with a score of 56 - 39 to maintain their unbeaten run. The Proteas managed to uphold their lead to the end and thereby secured the tournament trophy win a win of 40 - 35.  In the first two games against Zambia and Malawi, Mostert and Niemand was respectively Player of the Match.
 
The UFS is also proud of Maryka Holtzhausen, a former Kovsie now captaining the Proteas. Ilze du Pisanie, also a former Kovsie, is the conditioning coach for the Proteas.

 

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