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22 September 2021
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Story Michelle Nöthling
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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.”
Sought-after title warms heart doctor’s heart
2013-10-02
02 October 2013
Prof Stephen Brown was recently named as Ons Stad’s Bloemfonteiner of the Year, a title Prof Brown views as “one of the greatest moments” of his life.
Prof Brown, a cardiologist in the University of the Free State’s (UFS’) Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, has dedicated his life to children’s hearts ever since he qualified as paediatrician.
He is also involved in the teaching of under- and postgraduate students, as well as the training of doctors in paediatric cardiology. He is also jointly responsible for the planning and compilation of the undergraduate training programme for final-year students.
“This title is truly one of the greatest moments of my life. I feel humbled and impressed by the quality of the nominations for the title, which makes me feel small among the others.
“As physician I appreciate it even more, because this award means that the people of our wonderful city value the achievements and work of the doctors in our city – this warms my heart.”
Under Prof Brown’s leadership, Bloemfontein’s Paediatric Cardiology Unit is the only certified and recognised unit for pulmonary-valve implants in Africa.
The development of a local prenatal fetal heart screening and diagnostic programme, as well as adult congenital heart clinics, is due to his work and passion for his study field.
At the World Congress in 2013, he was involved as operator from South Africa in the first ‘direct telecast’ of children’s heart procedures.
“I hope that the award will help in our campaign to raise awareness in the community about children’s heart diseases. They are, after all, the people I work for."
The UFS also congratulates Sheri Brynard on her nomination for the title. Paul Colditz, the winner for 2012, is also a UFS Board member.