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18 October 2021
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Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Our podcast guest
Prof Jeandrew Brink holds the post of Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Applied
Mathematics within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State. Her areas of interest include an analytical interest in Einstein field equations, dynamical systems, algorithms for testing general relativity
and the no-hair theorems, black holes, and gravitational waves. Prof Brink registered for a Bachelor of Sciences in 1998, continued with honours studies in 1999, and completed her master’s degree in 2000. Prof Brink’s research is on various
theoretical aspects of testing general relativity. She is a member of the MeerKAT telescope team that times and detect pulsars. She is also working with members of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) to find ways of using
gravitational waves to test Einstein’s theory.
Prof Brink was involved in the compilation of a video of geodesic orbits around a Manko-Novikov singularity, selected to be part of a Starmus 3 concert, the proceeds of which went towards promoting the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication and
to support the charitable activities of the Stephen Hawking Foundation. It could also be part of a subsequent documentary.
Listen to the podcast at
François van Schalkwyk and Keenan Carelse,
UFS alumni leading the university’s United
Kingdom Alumni Chapter, have put their voices together to produce and direct the podcast series. Intended to reconnect alumni with the university and their university experience, the podcasts will be featured on the first Monday of every month,
ending in November 2021. Our featured alumni share and reflect on their experiences at the UFS, how it has shaped their lives, and relate why their ongoing association with the UFS is still relevant and important. The podcasts are authentic
conversations – they provide an opportunity for the university to understand and learn about the experiences of its alumni and to celebrate the diversity and touchpoints that unite them.
For further information regarding the podcast series, or to propose other alumni guests, please email us at
alumnipodcast@ufs.ac.za
For all Voices from the Free State podcasts,
click here.
Jan Smuts: from country boy to world stage; a reassessment
2017-11-10
At the book discussion of Jan Smuts: van boerseun tot wêreldverhoog;
'n herwaardering, were from the left: Con Robinson, Protea Bookshop;
Prof Kobus du Pisani; and Prof André Wessels from the Department
of History at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
Prof André Wessels from the Department of History at the University of the Free State (UFS) was one of 20 co-authors of Jan Smuts: van boerseun tot wêreldverhoog; 'n herwaardering – a book compiled under the leadership of the general editor, Prof Kobus du Pisani, from North-West University. This unique history book deals with the different themes in the life of Smuts, rather than describing the events chronologically.
South Africans are almost afraid of their own history nowadays ... and yet another history book is being launched. Does it make sense? Yes, for two reasons.
The monster in the dark
One of the ways to overcome fear is through knowledge. The monster in the dark disappears when one understands that the street lights and tree branches are creating interesting shadows. The more one knows about something, the less scary it becomes.
The Greek Bible
This was possibly also Smuts’s approach. Knowledge was his passion, and even today he is considered as one of the best students of the University of Cambridge. Although very few people really understand his holism theory, Smuts experienced the complex world in a very simple way – as one – not as lots of different pieces functioning independently of each other.
Smuts could have made a success of any of his interest fields – law, botany, literature, and philosophy. However, politics laid three wars on his doorstep. While he is regarded as a militarist by some, he was actually a peacemaker. He played a role in the establishment of the League of Nations, and later the United Nations. Incidentally, he continued to read the Greek Bible while on commando during the Anglo-Boer War.
A colourful character
The second reason for yet another Jan Smuts history book is his fascinating humanness. Time should be spent on colourful characters such as this. It is worthwhile hearing the story of someone who had such a great impact locally and internationally – good or bad.