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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

Roelf Meyer – Inaugural Recipient of the UFS Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
2015-08-17

The University of the Free State is pleased to announce that Roelf Meyer is the inaugural recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A lawyer by profession, Roelf Meyer’s contributions to the human interests of South Africa are immeasurable. Advocate Meyer’s current work in business and consultancy on peace processes around the globe benefits from his historic role as chief negotiator for the National Party (NP) alongside Cyril Ramaphosa, chief negotiator for the African National Congress (ANC).

Meyer will receive the award from the university on 29 August 2015 at the first annual Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Awards Luncheon.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award initiates a tradition at the University of the Free State that will honour excellent alumni who model superior academic and/or human achievement. Selected recipients embody the spirit of a transformed, inclusive society, and the modernised intent of the University of the Free State.The guest speaker will be Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Executive Director of Inyathelo, and a renowned politician.

The Luncheon will be held on Saturday, 29 August 2015 at 12h00 in the Reitz Hall of the Centenary Complex on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Entrance to all events is free of charge.
For concert tickets, please contact Institutional Advancement at 051 401 3966/9343 or alumni@ufs.ac.za.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and Luncheon are anchor initiatives for Reunion Weekend 2015, which takes place on 28-29 August. Please visit the alumni web site for additional information about the weekend’s activities.

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