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09 July 2021 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo UFS Photo Archive

Two athletes, both employees of the University of the Free State (UFS), are now giving back to the sport in administrative roles.

Kesa Molotsane and Louzanne Coetzee are making time in their work and training schedules to serve the sports in which they have represented their country – Molotsane in cross-country and Coetzee in the 1 500 m and 800 m T11 category for athletes with a disability.

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Louzanne Coetzee Photo: UFS Photo Archive 

Coetzee is again heading for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. She is a nominee for the International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council. Six representatives will be chosen at the Paralympics.

Coetzee was recently elected to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. She is also an athlete representative of the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled.

Molotsane was co-opted into the National Executive Committee of University Sport South Africa as an assessor. She is also the new vice-chairperson of the Athletics South Africa Athletes Commission.

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Kesa Molotsane. Photo: Supplied

“My biggest dream is to enable athletes to dream big, and for their dreams to be recognised. I would like to see them enjoy their sport,” said Molotsane.

“I think I probably missed a lot of opportunities in my career due to a lack of funding, so I don’t want to see anyone face the same situation.”

Molotsane was also recently named as one of two ambassadors for the SPAR Grand Prix Series. 

According to Coetzee, a former member of the Student Representative Council at the UFS, she believes that it is important for a current sportsperson to contribute and give input in their sport. 

“I enjoy leadership, it is perhaps a gift of mine. Serving the sport in that capacity is not something that is too much of an effort or takes too much of my time. I enjoy contributing and to see something move in a direction.”

News Archive

Eight from UFS elected to ASSAf
2012-09-05

Eight UFS academics have been elected as members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). They follow in the footsteps of seven colleagues who already were elected as members of the Academy.

The new members are Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic; Prof. Melanie Walker, Senior Professor; Prof. Ian Phimister, Senior Professor; Prof. Pumla Godobo-Madikizela, Senior Professor; Prof. Lodewyk Kock, Outstanding Professor; Prof. Hugh Patterton, Department of Biotechnology; Prof. Heidi Hudson, Department of Africa Studies and Prof. Odireleng Ntwaeaborwa, Department of Physics.

ASSAf was established in 1996 with the mission of using science for the benefit of society. New members are elected after nomination by four existing members (at least two of whom do so from personal knowledge of the candidate).

ASSAf has some 350 members and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies.

UFS academics who are already members of ASSAf are Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector; Prof. Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law; Prof. Hendrik Swart, Physics; Prof. André Roodt, Chemistry; Prof. Zakkie Pretorius, Plant Sciences; Prof. Max Finkelstein, Mathematics; Prof. James du Preez, Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; Prof. Maryke Labuschagne, Plant Sciences; and Prof. Neil Roos of our Postgraduate School.

Prof. Aldo Stroebel is a founding member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), the youth branch of ASSAf. SAYAS seeks to provide a voice to young scientists on international issues that interface with science.
 

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