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26 January 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo University of the Western Cape
The late Prof Jaap Durand.

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is saddened to learn of the passing of Prof Jaap Durand, revered theological academic and author. Prof Durand obtained his master’s degree from the UFS and received an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from the UFS in 2004. 

Prof Durand has had a colourful career as academic, writer, and struggle activist: from Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of the Western Cape to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the same university. He also served as the ombudsman of Stellenbosch University from 2002 to 2003. 

During his life, Prof Durand was a unifier and a critical voice, speaking out against injustice. He has also authored several books, including Dit is amper dag; Evolusie, wetenskap en geloof, and Protesstem

The UFS joins the higher education community in mourning and is deeply saddened by the loss of such a great theologian and academic. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to Prof Durand’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time.

News Archive

Children’s author donates material for research
2012-04-04

 

Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French receives more than 70 books, manuscripts and translations from Kovsie alumnus Jaco Jacobs.  
Photo: Stephen Collett
4 April 2012

The well-known children’s author and former Kovsie, Jaco Jacobs, donated more than 70 of his books, manuscripts and translations to the University of the Free State. The work will be included in the authors’ room of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French on the ground floor of the UFS Sasol Library.

Mr. Jacobs is an award-winning author who also worked as editor of Volksblad’s youth supplement, Jip. He received the degree B.A. (Communication Science) cum laude from our university. He has been awarded, amongst others, the Alba Bouwer Prize, C.P. Hoogenhout Award, MML Prize for Literature, Elsabé Steenberg Award and eight ATKV children’s book awards.

Mr Jacobs says he hopes the donations will provide insight into the writing process. “It would be wonderful if someone could do research because youth literature is not a genre that receives a lot of attention.”

Prof. Hennie van Coller, Head of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, says the donation is very valuable in terms of research. He says in other parts of the world, a lot of money is paid for this type of work.

 

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