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SASL Star: Annemarie Le Roux

22 September 2021 | Story Michelle Nöthling | Photo Supplied

“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

One student – nine awards

2012-04-04

Marina Viljoen
2 April 2012

Marina Viljoen was also a recipient of one of the university’s Dean’s Medals at the Autumn Graduation Ceremony. Apart from the Dean’s Medal, Marina also received nine awards at the Faculty of Law’s prize-giving ceremony. She was awarded the degree LL.B. (summa cum laude).

Marina is studying for her LL.M. degree, while doing her articles at Webbers Attorneys in Bloemfontein. “Kovsies definitely has the best law faculty in the country. The lecturers are really friendly and very helpful,” said Marina.
Heyns du Preez received the Dean’s Medal in the Faculty of Theology. He completed a B.Th. degree, and is registered for a M.Th. degree in Pastoral Studies. He works part-time at the student church on the Bloemfontein Campus of the university.

Maryke du Toit also received her degree at this year’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony. She is the daughter of Yolanda du Toit, a staff member at the university. Maryke, who has already completed her B.Com. Law degree, received her LL.B. (cum laude).

She is currently studying at the university’s Centre for Financial Planning as a certified financial planner. “Kovsies has been an unforgettable student experience with the beautiful campus, excellent lecturers and course. I’ve enjoyed every moment,” she said.

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