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20 January 2022 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Supplied
Keenan Carelse.

University of the Free State (UFS) Alumni may be based all around the world, but the United Kingdom (UK) Alumni Chapter aims to reconnect with all those members.

The UK Chapter is a hub of a developing UFS international programme. “We want to provide an opportunity for alumni to share their university experiences with wider audiences,” explains Carmenita Redcliffe Paul, Assistant Director: Alumni Relations and Business Development at the UFS.

Platform to celebrate successes

“The programme aims to provide a platform to alumni to celebrate their successes and provide a window to the landscape of the life and times of the university and the people who shaped it.”

“We also want to celebrate the diversity of our former students and the many touchpoints which unite them.”

Two key projects, Global Citizen and Voices from the Free State, came to life as a result of the collective collaboration of this chapter. The Global Citizen invites people in a series of “courageous conversations” to rethink their relationship with the world. Voices from the Free State is a series of personal podcast narratives by outstanding alumni wherein they reflect their experiences at the UFS. They tell their stories and explain how their university years shaped their future and paved the way to their respective successes.

Relevant association with the UFS

“Furthermore, they motivate why their ongoing association with the UFS is still relevant and important,” says Redcliffe Paul.

The UK Alumni Chapter is led by alumni Francois van Schalkwyk and Keenan Carelse and supported by Adrienne Hall.

Redcliffe Paul says Carelse and Van Schalkwyk have been instrumental in the Voices from the Free State initiative as they are strategically and operationally invested. They create and co-host the podcast series.

Van Schalkwyk is an entrepreneur and innovator consulting with clients globally. Carelse is employed in the healthcare sector in the UK.

News Archive

Kovsies, get ready, it’s Extravaganza time
2014-09-02

It is time for the 2014 Kovsie Extravaganza, happening on 27 September – and it is going to be huge! 

The Kovsie Extravaganza is the university’s main highlight of the year on the arts and culture calendar. The aim of the event is to showcase the very best of Kovsies’ musical, dance, poetry and other talents on a grand stage in a full production.

This is where our students can experience what being a star and being part of a huge show is all about – hence the ‘Extravaganza’ element!

As every year, guest artists who are at the top of their game will feature as the main act. For 2014, there’s a load of excitement around the award-winning and youthful a cappella trio, The Soil, who will be gracing the stage. It is also an honour that the Free State Youth Orchestra, which is made up of some of the most talented students at our Odeion School of Music, will be performing as part of the show for 2014.

The Kovsie Extravaganza promises lots of thrills, excitement and a platform to celebrate who we are as a university, through song and dance. The university is also grateful to PACOFS for partnering with us and providing their expertise in making this event a resounding success.

Buy your tickets at Office no. 8 at the Thakaneng Bridge on our Bloemfontein Campus or at the PACOFS box office at the Sand du Plessis Theatre.

Ticket Prices:
Students (with student cards) – R50
Non-students – R80

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