Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
01 July 2022 | Story Marcus Maphile | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State Library and Information Services (UFSLIS) hosted stakeholders from SABC Lesedi FM, the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), and delegates from the National Library for the launch of the first-ever African Languages University Press in South Africa and Africa.  The launch, which took place on 24 May, deliberately coincided with the Africa Month commemorations – as the UFS’ answer to the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) proclamation of the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.  

This proclamation aims to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages, and to mobilise stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalisation, and promotion. The University of the Free State Department of African Languages aims to be a publisher of high-quality original African language monographs and research in order to promote access, preservation, and use of marginalised African languages.  

In his opening remarks, Marcus Maphile, Assistant Director: Library Services, said, “As a broad academic publisher, the African Languages Press will be working across a number of markets, all presenting challenges and opportunities for established and engaged university presses. One of the opportunities will be to challenge the mainstream book publishers to re-enter the indigenous language publishing market.” He further said that this was done to make writing and reading in African indigenous languages fashionable, for other nations to envy our rich multilingual cultural heritage. 

The guest speaker for the launch was the UFS honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) recipient, Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, who applauded the University of the Free State for taking such a bold step towards enriching and developing African indigenous languages. 

The launch offered the UFS the opportunity to reach out and engage the international community on potential partnerships and collaborations towards developing African languages. The Library Director, Ms Jeanette Molopyane, provided insight into the challenges faced by libraries due to the shortage of books in African languages, while positioning the University of the Free State Library as a trendsetter and a leader in the development of best practices in the field of libraries.  

News Archive

Agricultural students win rugby league
2008-09-26

 
With the inter-hostel rugby league something of the past, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science at the University of the Free State (UFS) can boast with yet another achievement. Not only is it the only faculty with a rugby team competing in the league, but to crown it all the Agriculture team walked away as the winners of the third league.

The final was played on Friday, 12 September. Agriculture beat House Armentum’s third team with 18-14. In the semi finals of the previous week, Agriculture beat the third team of Reitz with 14-13. Starting next year, the Agriculture team will compete in the second league.
Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, is of the opinion that this is a good development that will open the doors for faculty houses which will bring about bigger student involvement on all levels.

Back, from the left are: Flippie Cloete, Koti du Plooy, Hugo van Wyk, Gert Lampbrecht, Tjaart van Tonder (captain), Werner Blom, Jean van Deventer, Ernst Bezuidenhoudt (vice-captain), Hendrik Heyns, Dirkie Strydom, Tommie Scholtz and Wollie Wolhuter. Front, from the left are: Theuns Theunissen, Johan Meyer, Hermie Louw, AA Swanepoel, Neels Wilken, Basie Heckroodt, Pieter Craig, Nelius Burger, Louis van Deventer, Hendrik Fourie and Graham O’Helly.

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