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22 September 2021 | Story Michelle Nöthling | Photo Supplied
Annemarie Le Roux.

“I love working with children.” This is one of the first things Annemarie le Roux mentions when asked to describe herself. This love for children propelled Annemarie into the field of education and she graduated in 2006 with a BEd in Foundation Phase at the UFS. Annemarie immediately immersed herself in the Deaf community, enriching the lives of children at the Thiboloha School for the Deaf in Qwaqwa and the De la Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester. 

The academic world enticed Annemarie back to the University of the Free State (UFS) and she was appointed as a junior lecturer in the Department of South African Sign Language (SASL) and Deaf Studies in 2013. Going from strength to strength, Annemarie completed her master’s degree in SASL in 2019, and published an article earlier this year that she co-wrote with Marga Stander. In this article, they found that SASL “has become an increasingly popular language that hearing university students want to learn as a second language” and subsequently explored different teaching methods used for this emerging group of interested students. 

Although now firmly established in academia, Annemarie is still committed to the practical application of SASL. “I am closely involved in student and community engagement through the SIGNALS Sign Language student association that helps empower the Deaf community and South African Sign Language.” She also interprets for the Deaf community whenever she gets an opportunity, as well as for Deaf students in class and meetings.

On the importance of Sign Language and the recognition of the Deaf community in South Africa, Annemarie believes it will open greater opportunities for development. “More people will be able to learn SASL, and it might even become a subject in school for hearing children.”

News Archive

Kovsie first-year wears green and gold for softball
2011-03-28

Jeneva Knell
Photo: Nangamso Koza

Jeneva Knell, a first-year residing in Madelief Residence on our Main Campus, has not only made her parents and community proud, but the university too – her second home, as she calls it. Jeneva has made history at the UFS by being the first student to receive national colours for softball. She joins a very long list of Kovsies who have made us very proud by earning green and gold.

This petite 18-year-old hailing from Kempton Park was tasked with a difficult choice last year as she filed her application forms to universities. She chose Kovsies, even though she was aware that it did not cater for softball players, something she is working hard at ensuring it change. “Sacrificing what I loved most was worth it. I wanted to be part of the changes at the UFS,” Knell says.
 
Her softball career started in Grade 6. Jeneva now proudly boasts the Benoni Rays Club’s colours, the club that produced the star she is today. “My coaches played a major role in turning me into a sports personality. A lot of hard work, sacrifices, dedication and team work are crucial for one to achieve those colours,” she responded.
 
“This is the greatest achievement I have ever attained. I feel very blessed. Without my mother’s love and support I would have never achieved this,” she said.
 
With the upcoming Junior Women’s World Championship in Cape Town, Jeneva is working hard at excelling and making the university proud.

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