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04 July 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Leanne Manas and Prof Francis Petersen

You are invited to join multiple award-winning broadcast anchor, Leanne Manas, for a conversation with Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS). Prof Petersen will share insights about his term in office and updates on developments at the UFS.  

Date: Friday, 22 July 2022 
Time:
09:00-11:00 
Venue: Odeion Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus  

RSVP on or before 20 July to Alicia Pienaar at PienaarAN1@ufs.ac.za  

Refreshments will be served.

(The event is open to the staff and students of the UFS)

Leanne Manas

Leanne Manas is a multiple award-winning broadcast anchor, MC, motivational speaker, businesswoman, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and a renowned leader on the South African media circuit. From Oprah Winfrey to Nelson Mandela, Leanne has interviewed an impressive range of public figures, heads of state, thought leaders, and local and international celebrities. She has also been at the forefront of bringing South Africans some of the biggest news stories over the past two decades. 

She is instantly recognisable as the face of morning television – as anchor of Morning Live, a hard-hitting news broadcast that she has been hosting since 2004. She has been the face of the vast majority of breaking news events in an ever-changing South Africa, most notably the death of Nelson Mandela, the dramatic resignation of Jacob Zuma as RSA President, and the death of the Mother of the Nation, Winnie Madikizela Mandela. She has also anchored four general elections, three provincial elections, and four presidential inaugurations. 

Her career has crossed international borders, broadcasting in the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya, Gabon, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. Broadcasting every day throughout a global pandemic has been the latest event that she has been part of. The total shift of how media is consumed has been a fascinating part of her journey. Leanne has been quoted as saying, “Being able to witness and tell the story of our ever-changing lives is my greatest honour.” 


News Archive

First Black Rag Queen wants to give voice to voiceless
2017-02-22

Description: Coronation ball 2017 Tags: Coronation ball 2017

The winners of the 2017 Amanzi Coronation
ball are, from the left: Devina Harry,
Second Princess; Kgomotso Sebusi,
First Princess; Prudence Mahlaba, Rag Queen;
Suhail Peerbhai, Mr Rag; Jordan Nadasen,
First Runner-up; and Mohlale Matlala,
Second Runner-up.
Photo: Gerhardus Bosch


“It is true what they say about your purpose driving you towards your goal. The ride to eventually becoming the first black RAG Queen was motivated by a pure desire in my heart to help other people.”

This is the moving words of Prudence Mahlaba, who was crowned Rag Queen at the Amanzi Coronation Ball on Friday 17 February 2017. Suhail Peerbhai, a second-year BCom Economics student, was crowned Mr Rag 2017.

Giving a voice to the voiceless

Mahlaba says she wants to make a positive impact, “not only on the less fortunate, but also on the voiceless.” The fourth-year LLB student strives to adhere to the vision of the acronym RAG (Receive and Give). RAG is mainly about a good cause in order to make a difference.
“It is beauty with a purpose, practising what you preach, and doing unto others what you want them to do unto you,” Mahlaba said.

It was a night of glitz and glamour as the finalists made a last bid for the sought-after titles at the prestigious event held at the Student Church on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State.

Role provide foundation for change
“Becoming Mr Rag is an exceptional feeling; however, this role entails much more responsibility,” Peerbhai said. “At a time like this, it has given me a solid foundation to make a difference in communities that are less fortunate.”

His advice to future participants in the contest is, “to go for it, since it entails the most life-changing challenges students in our era can face. No classroom teachings can provide you with the same values and experiences.”

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