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25 June 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
Prof Helena van Zyl
Prof Helena van Zyl, beloved, long-time academic and Head of the Business School at the University of the Free State (UFS), will retire at the end of June 2021 after arriving at the university more than 40 years ago and serving as Director of the Business School for 18 years. Prof Van Zyl has been a steady leader, not just in the Business School, but also for the vast array of students who made the UFS Business School their preferred choice. Starting out as a student assistant in the early ’80s in the then Department of Money and Banking, Prof Van Zyl progressed to become a junior lecturer in 1982, which placed her in a key position to eventually apply for Directorship of the Business School. 

The journey

“The university went through some very tough and equally delightful times; during the nineties, strict austerity measures were implemented. In 1987, the department received its first computer; one for the entire department. The internet was from a different planet. Some of the senior academics refused to use the internet and emails. All their letters and other communication were still typed by appointed typists. I saw many rectors, deans, colleagues come and go – each management era had its own challenges and opportunities.  In the end, it all worked out for the better,” says Prof Van Zyl.

“A highlight of my journey was the long road with my personal assistant, Alta Myburgh. I have known her since 1983 when she was a third-year student in my class, went on to become a student assistant, and with the exception of three years (if I remember correctly), she was next to me with loyalty that you will seldom find,” she explains. “When the Business School moved to its own address/building, it was certainly a highlight, but the ultimate was to contribute to students’ development and growth. For me, it has always been about the students and my staff,” says Prof Van Zyl. 

Invest in students and employees

Prof Van Zyl believes that success builds on integrity and that contributing to the development and growth of students and employees is integral to the success of any institution. “To add value to people’s lives is very rewarding.  One of the biggest lessons that I have learnt is that you need to empower the students and employees; invest in them, and they will invest in you. I am not convinced that we always got it right to manage our people correctly, but I guess this will remain an ongoing challenge,” she says. “I have learnt that if you create a platform of trust and belief in people, then they thrive,” explains Prof Van Zyl.

Looking forward

As Prof Van Zyl wraps up her journey at the UFS, she reflects on the past and what the future holds. “It was a privilege to work at the university, and I cannot extend enough gratefulness for all the opportunities I had. When I started working at the UFS, very few – if any – programmes were in place to assist new appointees with orientation, induction, etc., and you had to find your own way. I believe this has in a strange way contributed to one’s development and growth,” she says.

As for retirement, Prof Van Zyl is looking forward to travelling again, enjoy watching sport, gardening, and listening to classical music. “I will continue working part-time in the field of quality assurance, and also use this time to embrace new things. There is life after retirement,” she says.

Prof Van Zyl would like to be remembered for “sensitising people to seize the opportunities in life, and to make a difference – wherever you go, make a difference in your life and your work.”


Well wishes

Dr Liezel Massyn, Programme Director: BML Programme, UFS Business School

“Prof Helena embodies the Business School’s philosophy through the tagline, ‘Be worth more’. She challenges us to be worth more every day, in every aspect of our lives. She is a tough cookie. There are rules, and when you get to meet her, you learn very quickly that there is one way – the right way – to get things done. She asks tough questions and always strives to improve.  She taught us the unwritten rules of the academic world, the academic knowledge of her field (whether you want to hear it or not), and life skills to survive and thrive in challenging situations. She is always willing to walk a thousand miles with you and has a deep concern for her staff and students – always interested in everyone’s story and continuously investing in people. Prof, thank you for not only living – ‘Be worth more’ – but also inspiring the next generation to make it part of our values.”

Dr Johan Coetzee, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics and Finance

“Prof Helena taught me from my second year of study in 1997 and was instrumental in my development as a scholar. She has set an example for so many people of a strong woman who gets things done, while at the same time showing such compassion that you are inspired. The UFS is losing one of the ‘legends’ of yesteryear. She will be impossible to replace.”

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities
2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of  King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

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