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08 July 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied
For Prof Anthea van Jaarsveld, the balance between science, theoretical and practical experience is important for a balanced industry.

Her unique approach to Drama and Theatre Arts makes Prof Anthea van Jaarsveld the most suitable person to take over the reins as Head of the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts. Prof Van Jaarsveld was officially appointed as head of this special department this year. 

The Department of Drama at the UFS is one of the biggest in the country, and according to Prof Van Jaarsveld it is also the best, because the department produces some of the finest in the industry. Her main goal as head of department is to bring about a subtle change in emphasis that will ultimately make a real contribution to employability, a greater variety of job opportunities, and practice-orientated research. “My ultimate goal is therefore an approach within which academy and practice will find each other for the benefit of both,” says Prof Van Jaarsveld.

Science, theatre and drama collide 

Prof Van Jaarsveld has a scientific approach to drama and theatre arts. She never acted professionally. It is precisely from a scientific perspective that her knowledge of the theorising and contextualisation of drama text, theatre concepts, and the film industry is applied in order to maintain a balance in a profession where the emphasis on practical experience is overwhelming.  

She studied Drama at the UFS and was also employed as Drama teacher at Eunice Girls’ School. Following this, she started working as lecturer in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch. “There I focused on the Drama genre in Afrikaans; therefore, I never actually left drama and theatre,” says Prof Van Jaarsveld. In 2018, she returned to the Department of Drama. 

Upon her return to the department where she started her studies, her aim is to ensure that the department again complies with the total package of the UFS and to make sure “that our students are prepared for a multifaceted and dynamic industry on a practical level”. 

Prof Van Jaarsveld took over from Prof Nico Luwes who retired in 2019. 

News Archive

Future Kovsies explore Qwaqwa Campus
2017-05-26

Description: Qwaqwa Campus Open day 2017 Tags: Qwaqwa Campus Open day 2017

Description: Qwaqwa Open Day learners Tags: Qwaqwa Open Day learners

Learners from Molapo Secondary School in
Makoane, Qwaqwa, during Open Day.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

AMAZING! This is just one of the words used by prospective Kovsies to describe their experience, when thousands of learners visited the Qwaqwa Campus for this year’s Open Day on Saturday 20 May 2017.

“Spending time on campus and learning what the university offers even beyond academics was such an amazing experience,” said a prospective Political Studies and Governance student, Kamohelo Mofokeng from Bluegumbosch Secondary School in Qwaqwa.

“We explored both academic and support services, and getting to see and listen to motivating words from eTV stars was unforgettable,” she added. “The event was informative and many of our learners even managed to apply online using university facilities,” said Modiehi Masita, Life Orientation teacher at Tsebo Secondary School in Boiketlo, Qwaqwa.

First step in the right direction

Talking to learners, Campus Principal Prof Prakash Naidoo said their visit was the first step in the right direction.

“This is the first step towards attaining your dream qualification. You have to work hard to build yourself a career, and not aspire to be what is commonly known as a tenderpreneur,” he said. “You have come to this campus when men need to stand up and not bury their heads in the sand, as we are faced with abuse and killings of women and children. We must all stand up to abuse,” he said under resounding appreciation from learners and their teachers.

Also talking to the learners were TV stars from eTv’s Rhythm City and Scandal.

I can and I will make it
‘I can and I will make it’ led by Mapula Mafole was adopted as the war cry towards the examinations and success in life for the class of 2017. Mafole plays the role of Mapula in the TV series Rhythm City. She was accompanied by Ishmael Sango and Nkosi Cengane, who respectively play Sabelo and Emmanuel in Rhythm City, and Mbulelo Katise who plays Scelo in Scandal.

Qwaqwa Campus alumnus and hip-hop artist, TactixSA, provided entertainment.

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