Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
23 February 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rian Horn
Willem Boshoff
There could be nothing better for Fine Arts students than learning and experiencing art with and from Prof Willem Boshoff. Pictured here is Prof Boshoff with some of our students on their trip to the Javett Art Centre in late 2021.

Towards the end of 2021, a group of Fine Arts students – both undergraduate and postgraduate – were among the first visitors to the Word Woes exhibition by Prof Willem Boshoff, affiliated UFS A-1 NRF-rated scholar, at the Javett Art Centre in Pretoria. It was as if a new world had opened to experience the art first-hand, and the VIP tour by Willem Boshoff was definitely the cherry on top. The exhibition opens on 13 March 2022

Prof Boshoff, South Africa’s only NRF A-rated scholar in the arts, is an affiliated scholar and artist in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS).  The ‘enriching’ trip was made possible through generous funding from Dr Engela van Staden, Vice-Rector: Academic. The purpose of the trip was twofold; it was an opportunity for students to visit an art gallery, and also to “enrich the learning and teaching of the Fine Arts programme by exposing the students to a large art gallery and excellent art exhibitions”, according to Lecturer Adelheid von Maltitz. 

“The educational value and professional exposure to high-level experts in their field are the most important input for the students,” Dr Van Staden said. The department plans to conduct annual visits to art galleries outside of the Free State. 

UFS Fine Arts privileged to be associated with Prof Boshoff 

Prof Willem Boshoff is an enigma in his own right; he is an internationally renowned artist and academic who has been involved with the UFS for more than 10 years, and his involvement with the Department of Fine Arts brings an invaluable opportunity for students and staff alike. “This allows our students to gain insight into his artistic practice, which in turn may positively impact their own,” says Vol Maltitz.  

The duality of the Word Woes exhibition 

The title of the exhibition reflects the very brand of Willem Boshoff and is a retrospective of the works spanning his artistic practice, as per the Javett Art Centre website. The words ‘Word Woes’ can be understood in English or Afrikaans. “In either language the two words look identical, but their meanings differ sharply. Read in English, the title WORD WOES bemoans difficult issues around words and language. Read in Afrikaans, the same words liberate, prompting us to let go and be wild.” 

Visit the Javett Art Centre website for more information. 

Video by: Rian Horn (Odd Looking Tree)


News Archive

Three Kovsies in Protea Women’s Hockey team
2015-10-12

Tanya Britz
Photo: Johan Roux

Three Kovsies were included in the Protea Women’s Hockey team to compete in a qualifying Africa tournament for the Olympic Games.

Tanya Britz, Nicole Walraven, and Cornelle Botha were chosen to represent their country in Randburg, Johannesburg, from 23 October to 1 November 2015.

All three have been playing for the Kovsie Women’s Hockey team in the Varsity series. The team lost in the finals against the University of Johannesburg in Bloemfontein.

The trio are the only Free State players in the South African group.

Five current Protea players from the University of the Free State (UFS) formed part of the provisional South African squad for the tournament in Randburg.

The other two not fortunate enough to be included in the final Protea team were Liné Malan and Izelle Lategan.

All five players formed part of the Free State Women’s Team that reached the semi-finals in Division A of the interprovincial tournament for the first time since 1986.

Britz, who is nearing 50 tests for South Africa, will probably play club hockey overseas next year.

Walraven, who was named as South Africa’s U21 Player of the Year, and Botha both made their debut on senior level for their country this year.

Both would probably still be available for Kovsies next year.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept