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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

Johan Cronjé and Lesley-Ann George; UFS Sports Stars of the Year
2010-10-22

Johan Cronjé and Lesley-Ann George, the UFS’s Sportsman and Sportswoman of 2010.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
 Junior sport stars: Prof. Teuns Verschoor (middle), Acting Senior Vice-Rector with the UFS's,Junior Sport Stars of the Year: Philip van der Walt (Rugby) and Fikile Mkhuzangwe (Netball).
Photo: Kabelo Tlhabanelo
 
Kovsie Sports Woman of the Year candidates are from the left: Nelmaré Loubser (Triathlon and Duathlon), Lesley-Ann George (Hockey) and Tanya Basson (Judo). 
Photo: Kabelo Tlhabanelo
 
Kovsie Sportman of the Year candidates are from the left: Thuso Mpuang (Athletics), Philip van der Walt (Rugby), Boom Prinsloo (Rugby), Bruno Schwalbach (Karate), Johan Cronjé (Athletics), and Windy Jonas (Athletics).
Photo: Kabelo Tlhabanelo

KovsieSport at the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured its top sports achievers during a prestige dinner in die Centenary Complex on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein last night. The Kovsie Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year were also announced at this event.

Johan Cronjé was named the Sportsman of the Year. He represented South Africa at the Africa Athletics Championships. He was also invited to participate in the Grand Prix Athletics Championships in Europe. Currently Johan also holds the 38th position on the world-ranking list for the best achievement in the 1 500 m.

Lesley Ann George was named as the Sportswoman of the Year. She is a member of the South African Women’s Hockey Team which participated in the Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games. At the last event this team came fourth. She is also a member of the South African Women’s Hockey Team that participated in China. Lesley-Ann is also the Vice-Captain of the South African Women’s Hockey Team.

Lesley Ann furthermore made history; she is the first black UFS athlete who has been named as a Kovsie Sportswoman of the Year.

Philip van der Walt (rugby) and Fikile Mkhuzangwe (netball) was named as the Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.

According to Mr Frans van der Watt from KovsieSport at the UFS, this was the largest attendance of supporters ever who attended this event during which the UFS honoured its international sports stars.

Sport stars and supporters alike were all inspired by the guest speaker of the evening, Mr Bruce Walsh, a victim of a bomb explosion in Planet Hollywood in 1998, to be winners at a physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual level.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za  
22 October 2010
 

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