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KZN flooding disaster: transitioning from response and relief to recovery and rehabilitation

23 June 2022 | Story Dr Olivia Kunguma | Photo Supplie

Opinion article by Dr Olivia Kunguma, Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa, University of the Free State.

On 13 April 2022, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) 'classified' the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) floods as a provincial disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002 (DMA). Following the classification, the KZN provincial government 'declared' a provincial state of disaster in terms of Section 41 of the DMA. Subsequent to this declaration and after considering reports from other provinces such as Eastern Cape and North West that were also affected by floods, on 18 April 2022, the disaster was reclassified. Following a consultation with the Cabinet, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma declared a national state of disaster. The national state of disaster was in terms of Section 27(1) and Section 23(6)(a)(b), which states that a disaster is a national disaster if it affects more than one province or if a single province is unable to deal with the disaster effectively. Another primary purpose of a national declaration was because the existing legislation and contingency arrangements of the affected state organs were insufficient to handle the provincial disaster and a need to activate other extraordinary measures as and when required. Also, the provincial disaster declaration was insufficient, given the widespread magnitude of the KZN floods. Since Durban has a port on which the entire nation and the Southern African region depend, the disaster had implications beyond the province. The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) is the leading government department coordinating all stakeholders and intervention measures to address the effects of the disaster. The department is following a three-phased approach to support the affected provinces. The approach includes; immediate humanitarian relief, stabilisation and recovery, and rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Before the flooding disaster the KZN community was already vulnerable to xenophobic attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and civil unrest. The flooding disaster exacerbated the communities’ vulnerability and had a severe social, economic and environmental impact. At least 461 people lost their lives, about 874 companies were affected, 40 000 people were displaced, more than 40 people were reported missing, and damage to infrastructure was estimated at more than R20 billion. Mindful of all these challenges, local and international organisations and local communities extended a helping hand to those affected by the disaster.

South Africa’s general response to disasters

As stated earlier, South Africa has been exposed to various hazards, some declared disasters by the government. In the past decade alone, xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals were declared a disaster in 2015; in 2018-2020 a drought was declared a disaster. In 2021, riots and looting in KZN were declared a disaster. Now the 2022 flooding has been declared a disaster. The occurrence and effect of hazards and the capabilities of the people affected to respond determines the need for a disaster declaration. Once a disaster has been declared, the necessary resources will be released. The point in question here is, “Is South Africa’s response to disasters adequate, timely and enough to assist affected communities?” The answer is the response is 'fair'. The fact that there is good disaster legislation that guides the process makes it a positive starting point. The challenge where timeliness is affected is the lengthy process of declaring the disaster so that the response can take place quickly. The response to xenophobic attacks was slow and inadequate because the government did not know how to classify the hazard. The response to the KZN looting and recent KZN flooding was also slow and inadequate, leading to significant impacts. To improve the response to disasters the proactive involvement of all stakeholders is needed, where all organs of state have sufficient resources and are prepared to respond to hazards in their custodianship, for example, drought, is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture.

Procedures for handling donations and relief

Organisations and individuals come together to respond to and assist victims of the disaster. With all volunteers coming together, the duplication of efforts is anticipated. According to the South African National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) of 2005, the Disaster Management Centres must establish appropriate protocols to clarify procedures for requesting assistance and discourage ad hoc and unsolicited appeals for relief. Any possibilities of duplication are mitigated by establishing a Joint Operating Committee (JOC). Activating a JOC helps standardise reporting protocols and improve the coordination of interventions. Specific organisations form part of the JOC with allocated roles and responsibilities based on the disaster. For example, the Department of Social Development is responsible for conducting needs assessments and distributing relief items.

Furthermore, each stakeholder forming part of the JOC should implement the existing contingency or response plans and establish standard operating protocols or procedures (SOPs) for coordinating response and recovery operations as per their mandate. Some organisations do have SOPs, response or contingency plans, but due to the magnitude of the disaster, they could not be used effectively. The NDMF mandates the development of Regulations for the Practice and Management of Relief Operations. The regulations must be gazetted and must include relief standards and the duration of relief efforts. A JOC was established at metropolitan and provincial levels regarding the KZN flood disaster. Each JOC has a Disaster Management Relief Team (DMRT). This team is responsible for receiving donations and distributing them. The donating individuals or organisations contact the DMRT to handle the donations. The DMRT also allows the donors to select where they want their donations to go. Organisations that wish to contribute financially are urged to contribute to a Disaster Relief Fund account.

The Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) joined in the initiative and called on the University of the Free State (UFS) and Bloemfontein community to donate non-perishable food and non-food items to the KZN flood disaster victims.

Staff members from the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at UFS
in Durban. (Photo: Supplied)

After several weeks of collecting donations, the UFS-DiMTEC personnel travelled to Durban on 29 May to deliver the goods and visited some areas affected by the floods. The eThekwini Disaster Management and Emergency Control Unit staff thanked the UFS-DiMTEC personnel and the Bloemfontein community for the donations they made. “We appreciate your effort to deliver the donations to the flood victims personally. We would also like to invite UFS-DiMTEC to form collaborations with us as we have done with the Durban University of Technology. The collaborations will help us with disaster risk reduction efforts and build resilient communities,” said Mr Vincent Ngubane, the Head of eThekwini Disaster Management and Emergency Control Unit. Following the meeting with the Head of the Centre, the UFS-DiMTEC team was escorted to three shelters (KwaNdengezi Hall, Mariannridge Hall and Eshcol Community Church), most of which housed children from as young as six years of age. The challenges faced by the shelters include possibilities of theft, limited water and sanitation access, power cuts and inadequate food.

Conjecture of KZN flooding disaster

Several media articles have recorded possible causes of the flooding and landslides disaster in KZN, and here are some of them:

• Slope instabilities relating to the local geology and topography influenced by climate change

• Hilly areas with significant gorges and ravines that are conducive to floods

• Common ‘cut-off low’ which brings heavy rain, damaging winds and cold weather mostly in autumn and spring

• Unmaintained storm-water drainage systems

• Housing shortages due to migration and lack of affordability that lead to informal settlements

• Apartheid legacy placed the poor in the periphery along low-lying areas and floodplains

• Social production (natural hazards interacting with a vulnerable population)

• Lack of science awareness among politicians, and toxic politics

• Poor planning and governance

Building back KZN better

While the KZN disaster response is ongoing, recovery and rehabilitation talks are in place. The DMA (Section 1) defines recovery and rehabilitation as a post-disaster phase that includes efforts and developments to normalise or restore a condition caused by a disaster. The effects of the disaster are mitigated, and circumstances that will mitigate or prevent a similar disaster are created. Before this phase commences, the government and other responsible stakeholders must effectively and scientifically conduct impact and risk assessments to inform resilient reconstruction. Climate change (heavy rains), environmental change (soil), and human and societal dynamics (settlements/civil unrest) are some of the factors that should be at the core of the KZN recovery and rehabilitation planning. Building back better in KZN requires the identification of better land for rebuilding. Overly, the earlier stated possible root causes of the flood disaster need to be scientifically researched to consider the findings in the recovery and rehabilitation phase. Funding is required for all this to happen, and the funds must be properly managed. While political support is a requirement, administrative structures must not be throttled.

Some of the items donated to flood stricken Durban by UFS DiMTEC (Photo: Supplied)

Relief still needed during recovery and rehabilitation

Although the KZN province is slowly transitioning from response and relief to recovery and rehabilitation, the disaster is far from over. While relief will still be needed to assist those in need, it must be reduced to avoid dependency. Currently, the disaster managers are dealing with challenges such as community members not affected coming to settle in community halls to benefit from free meals. Some community hall members have started complaining about the food and requesting specific meals. Nonetheless, the NDMF states that the prolonged relief supply creates dependency and discourages risk ownership, which is imperative for building resiliency.

Moreover, continued provision of relief reinforces risk transfer to external support, government or humanitarian agencies. The government needs to speed up the transition from relief to resilient rehabilitation without making further development mistakes. During this process, the KZN community must participate in the building back better process at all phases.

Meanwhile, the UFS-DiMTEC is still appealing to the UFS community and the City of Bloemfontein to continue donating. Those wishing to donate are urged to drop off the items at the following drop-off point: Agriculture Building/Landbou, DiMTEC, First Floor, Room 3.102A, Bloemfontein. For more information regarding donations, please get in touch with Dr Tlou Raphela at +27 72 108 4987 or Raphelatd@ufs.ac.za

News Archive

Centenary medals - Photos of recipients

2004-10-15

The centenary medals: To give recognition and say thank you in the Centenary Year

As part of its Centenary celebrations, the University of the Free State (UFS) will tonight ( 15 October 2004) award 138 medals to various people in recognition of their exceptional and above average contribution, preferably with a lasting effect, to the establishment, development or transformation of the UFS.

“The celebration of an institution’s Centenary is a privilege. It is an important opportunity to look back appreciatively and critically, and to communicate the result of the introspection visibly. It is an opportunity to take stock and to count blessings. It is also an opportunity to reflect on matters that will require attention in the first part of the next hundred years,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“In looking back on 100 years, we realised that the UFS could celebrate its development and maturing as university, because of the contributions of people at all levels: current and former staff, alumni, students and community leaders. It is therefore apt to give special recognition, as part of the Centenary celebrations, to individuals,” said Prof. Fourie.

According to Prof. Fourie such recognition had to be something different from the usual special recognition such as honorary degrees, Chancellor’s Medals, Council Medals, long-service awards, special post levels and titles, faculty prizes, student prizes and student medals. This is how the idea to award Centenary Medals originated.

The medals are awarded to people from a wide spectrum: among others current and previous members of management, previous rectors, vice-rectors and deans, researchers and pioneers on a variety of other levels at the UFS.

The list includes: Mrs MT Bendile (community leader), Prof. EG Boonstra (previous dean and vice-rector), Prof L Goedhals (medical researcher), Dr. M Hoffman (physicist), Prof. KC Househam (for his role in the establishment of the MUCPP), Prof. Benito Khotseng (previous vice-rector), Prof. Stef Coetzee (previous rector), ms Esté de Klerk (former student and journalist), Prof. Theo du Plessis (linguist), Mrs Erica du Preez (faculty manager of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Prof. Dap Louw (forensic psychologist), Proff F Retief and W Mouton (previous rectors), Mr Peter Guy (founder of the Botshabelo Strings) and the UFS’s sport legend Mr NE Cronjé.

“A process such as this obviously contains risks and a great deal of thoroughness and fairness is required to do it as well as possible. A committee comprising representatives from different interest groups was appointed to handle the process,” said Prof. Fourie.

Achievers from the two new campuses (Qwaqwa and the former Vista Bloemfontein campus) were not considered. Special nomination and recognition opportunities at suitable times (for example their 25th celebrations) are envisaged.

The recipients are:

Mr. ET Altona

For his central role in establishing, developing and modernising the UFS’s computer systems and services, particularly the development of sophisticated customised software

Dr. B Anderson

For his pioneering work and caring attitude in introducing adult learning at the UFS, recognition of prior learning as well as the BML degree which is unique in South Africa.

Dr. S Aronstam

For her pioneering role and innovative ideas in the UFS Council in respect of transformation and the rights of women and blacks in a predominantly conservative era.

Prof. PN Badenhorst

For his strong role and national profile in establishing and developing Haematology as discipline at the UFS

Mr. NE Barnard

For his special contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.

Prof. JCO Bekker

For his pioneering work and academic initiatives in Public Management training and special ties with state departments, foreign institutions and the Flemish government.

Mrs MT Bendile

For her pioneering work as team member in the founding of the MUCPP and the establishment of the first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.

Prof. EG Boonstra

For his role as scientist and Dean and his contribution as Vice-Rector, in particular to the quality of support services, as well as his community contributions to music and culture.

Prof. LJS Botes

For his large role in developing the national research profile and success of the Centre for Development Support, the Master in Development Studies as well as the development of the UFS’s community service policy.

Mr. JH Botha

For his large role as sports administrator over a period of almost 25 years, particularly in respect of junior rugby, where he has also played a large marketing role for the UFS as one of the best-known coaches in the country

Prof. B Britz

For his expert educational and persuasive work which led to decisive decisions on high-quality campus planning and a stylish, human-friendly and accessible campus.

Prof. AV Br?ssow

For his central role, as chief residence warden for many years, in developing student support services by managing residences and in coaching sport.

Me C Castagno

For her central role and initiatives in establishing a professional fund-raising function and professional image of the UFS in the business sector, particularly in Johannesburg and environs.

Prof. L Cilliers

For her contribution to academic development and her research contribution in the field of Greek and Roman drama and history as well as ancient medicine.

Prof. SF Coetzee

For his outstanding leadership as Rector during a term in which the University underwent dramatic changes and renewal, as well as his role as leader of the transformation team who changed the UFS from a mainly monocultural campus to a leader in transformation.

Mr. VF Collett

For his enormous contributions regarding the development and professionalisation of student administrative systems, systematisation of regulations and the conversion to new administrative computer systems.

Mr. NE Cronje

For his pioneering role and contributions over a long period, as sports administrator and coach, to effective sports organisation, coaching and facilities of the UFS, and the encouragement of mass participation of students in a variety of sports.

Prof. MJ Crous

For his positive leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and the development of a rapidly growing Faculty in respect of teaching quality, foreign liaison and professional service and style in particular.

Me FM Cruywagen

For her exceptional contribution over a long period as senior residence warden to the development of high-quality, caring service-rendering to students.

Dr. J de Beer

For his key role in the establishment and founding of the UFS’s Faculty of Medicine in partnership with the Free State Provincial Administration.

Me E de Klerk

For her initiative in launching and developing the Kovsie Sêr and subsequently the national serenade competition, still one of the largest national campus culture projects.

Mr. NV de Klerk

For his special contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.

Prof. B De la Rosa

For his research contribution and central role in the development of the Department of Mathematics, the discipline of Mathematics and particularly the application of Mathematics at the UFS.

Prof. DJ De Waal

For his central role in applying Bayes statistics in the industrial environment as well as his contribution to university management as head of department for 27 years and as member of the Executive Management and Council.

Mev AM Dippenaar

For her central role in developing and internationalising the library, in particular in respect of information technology, as well as her pioneering role as a woman in a senior management position in information services and technology on the campus.

Prof. LT du Plessis

For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship in establishing and developing the ULFE, as well as nationally and internationally recognised expertise on multilingualism and language management at the UFS.

Prof. JV du Plessis

For his contribution, over a period of more than 35 years, to developing and managing Labour Law at the UFS, to innovation in labour law training, as well as managing the UFS’s pension fund.

Mev ES du Preez

For her central role in developing and professionalising the post of Faculty Manager and her innovation in developing operational and technological systems.

Prof. JC du Preez

For his steady and long-standing contribution to the initial development and further expansion of the research core in the discipline of Microbiology, particularly in respect of fermentation.

Prof. JA du Rand

For his leadership role in establishing and developing research in Theology (New Testament) and a unique collection of Johannine literature at the UFS.

Mr. DC du Toit

For his contribution to academic excellence as initiator of the academic publication service, as first editor of the new Acta Academica, as founder of the Journal for Juridical Science as well as innovative work in developing legal training.

Dr. MA Erasmus

For her central role in developing the UFS’s community service policy and the establishment of integrated community service learning modules, as well as her contribution to the establishment of multilingualism at local government level.

Prof. D Ferreira

For his central role as Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and A-evaluated researcher (NRF), in developing the UFS’s national and international research profile in Chemistry.

Prof. FCvN Fourie

For his role as leader of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, for his innovation as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and later as Vice-Rector: Academic, as well as his research record and academic contributions as Distinguished Professor in Economics.

Prof. M Fourie

For her outstanding contribution as member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as her pioneering role as a woman in a senior management position in academic planning.

Prof. L Goedhals

For his central role in establishing and developing research and community service in Oncology, thereby contributing to the national profile of the UFS.

Prof. JU Grobbelaar

For his leadership in establishing research and niche expertise in Limnology at the UFS, his leadership in the first biological expedition to Marion Island, as well as for his role as leader in developing human resource matters at the UFS.

Mr. CJ Grobler

For his consistently valuable contributions in the UFS Council, over a period of more than 20 years, in respect of balanced reform and new developments such as parallel-medium teaching.

Mr. PA Guy

For his contribution to music transformation and his outstanding leadership and drive in establishing the Botshabelo Strings project, and the development of music talent among school children from previously disadvantaged communities, thereby strengthening the UFS’s community service.

Judge SPB Hancke

For his leading role regarding alumni, fund-raising and financial support to students, specifically in founding the Kovsie Alumni Trust, as well as his contributions, as Council member and Chair of the Council, to wise and innovative decision-making.

Mrs N Handa

For an outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the advancement of the quality of the University.

Mr. G Hanise

For an outstanding contribution, over a long period, to the establishment of a culture of service and the quality of the University’s grounds.

Prof. JJ Henning

For his leadership role in developing the Faculty of Law as well as his research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence and international recognition in company and partnership law at the UFS.

Prof. A du P Heyns

For his strong role and national prominence as expert and leading figure in establishing and developing Haematology at the UFS.

Prof. FDI Hodgson

For his academic entrepreneurship and initiative in successfully establishing a unique Institute for Groundwater Studies which has been known nationally and internationally since 1975 as high-level centre of expertise and a model of financial self-support.

Dr. MJH Hoffman

For his initiative and sustained actions to develop the Boyden Observatory into an internationally recognised research centre as well as a science centre that introduces natural science to scholars.

Prof. KC Househam

For his leadership and pioneering work in transformation through the establishment of the first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.

Mr. AB Hugo

For excellent service and ingenuity, in the Electronics Division of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in designing new electronic apparatus en repairing existing ones.

Dr. B Human

For his contribution to the development of the UFS’s fund-raising actions, particularly in respect of establishing physical facilities on the campus.

Prof. JLK Human

For establishing serious music and jazz in Bloemfontein, developing the piano division at the UFS, and as recognised performing artist.

Mev BJ Immelman

For her exceptional role in piano teaching of international quality at the UFS and in establishing high standards of piano-playing in South Africa

Ds CD Jaftha

For his pioneering role in the first transformation discussions between the UFS and the Black and Coloured communities in the context of the Transformation Committee and the UFS Council, and also for his role in developing the UFS’s community service policy.

Mr. HP Johnson

For his role as Registrar (Administrative and General) in developing the administrative functions at a strongly growing UFS in the seventies and eighties.

Mr. VS Khosana

For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations, in trade union context, as well as his role as champion of workers’ interests with a balanced grasp for management realities in the difficult staff reduction process of 2000.

Prof. BM Khotseng

For his pioneering role in establishing diversity, and the courage and determination with which he, as first black senior manager, member of the transformation team and Vice-Rector: Student Services, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.

Prof. JLF Kock

For his outstanding research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence in the field of microbiology and lipid research at the UFS.

Mev HMC Kotze

For her special and caring role, as social worker, in establishing high-quality and dedicated student support at the UFS.

Mev E Krantz

For her enormous contribution to the development of theatre and particularly children’s theatre, her key role in numerous eisteddfods and speech examinations as well as being a recital and radio artist of high calibre.

Prof. GP Lamprecht

For his sustained and crucial contribution, over several decades, to the development of student and alumni choirs and the art of conducting choirs at the UFS.

Prof. PM Lategan

For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship and vision to successfully develop Microbiology as discipline and as internationally recognised industry-oriented research centre at the UFS.

Dr. PAL le Roux

For his outstanding contribution, as sports administrator and coach, to the development of karate as sport at the UFS.

Prof. DA Louw

For his outstanding research record and contribution to academic excellence and international linkages in the field of Forensic Psychology.

Prof. DS Lubbe

For his pioneering role as researcher in the field of accounting and audit, on social responsibility, environmental accounting and corporate control.

Dr. N Luyt

For his pioneering role in managing diversity at student level and the courage with which he, as a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.

Mr. PD Mabasu

For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations in the founding years of trade unions at the UFS.

Mr. SP Mahlumba

For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations in the founding years of the trade unions as well as his contribution to the pioneering work of the Transformation Committee

Mr. WS Malherbe

For his role as a member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as his pioneering work in establishing management information and strategic planning.

Mr. FC Marais

For his untiring enthusiasm and pioneering work in developing the Career Preparation Programme which is regarded internationally as a model of accessibility, and which has made an important contribution to the transformation of the UFS.

Mr. M Maseko

For his outstanding contribution, over a long period, to the establishment of a culture of service and the quality of the University’s grounds.

Prof. BH Meyer

For his academic entrepreneurship and key contribution to the establishment and development of Farmovs as internationally esteemed pioneering institution at the UFS.

Prof. BD Middlecote

For his contribution to academic excellence through his key role in designing, developing and implementing the new five-year curriculum of the MB ChB programme at the UFS.

Prof. PC Minnaar

For his outstanding contribution as developer of Medical Physics and the development of the national and international academic profile of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Mrs M Molebatsi

For her pioneering role in respect of labour relations, in trade union context, as well as her role as champion of workers’ interests with a balanced grasp for management realities in the difficult staff reduction process of 2000 as well as the Qwaqwa alignment process.

Mr. P P Mohloli

For his outstanding contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.

Mr. JS Mokoka

For his pioneering work as team member in the establishment of the MUCPP and the establishment of a first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.

Prof. WL Mouton

For the important contribution he made as Rector, Chair of the Council and Chancellor, particularly his leading role as Rector in the establishment and sustainable development of the UFS as strong research university.

Prof. FO M?ller

For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship and key contribution to the establishment and development of Farmovs as internationally esteemed pioneering institution at the UFS.

Mr. AJ Murray

For his outstanding role and contribution in establishing and developing Occupational Therapy, also in the context of community service.

Mrs MS Musi

For her outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the buildings and cleaning services of the University.

Dr. JC Nel

For his outstanding role, in various divisions, as member of the core team who established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s.

Prof. PJ Nel

For his outstanding research record and contribution to academic excellence in Near-Eastern Studies as well as in multidisciplinary context, the establishment of new programmes, and the promotion of the study of African and indigenous knowledge systems.

Prof. DL Ochse

For his numerous initiatives as music entrepreneur and contributions to the establishment and development of the Consortium Musicum, the Odeion Simfonia, the UOFS Piano Quartet, the Odeion String Quartet, the Odeion Musik Fest and Old Presidency concerts.

Mr. GJ Olivier

For his exceptional dedication and contribution to the development of the SAPSE and HEMIS information systems, a user-friendly management information system and a unique UFS system for the allocation of FTE students.

Mr. G de W Pansegrouw

For his outstanfing contribution to the development of fund-raising methods, particularly regarding the establishment of Shimla Park.

Me E Pelzer

For her quality-driven and strategic contribution as a member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS in an innovative and sustainable manner, as manager of various special University projects, and as a woman in a senior management position in physical planning.

Prof. H Potgieter

For his leadership as Dean and contribution to the effective management of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the promotion of high-quality teaching and research.

Mr. CF Preller

For his outstanding role, as sports administrator and coach, in developing the UFS’s athletics profile, as well as developing the potential of numerous national and international achievers.

Prof. JL Pretorius

For his research and widely recognised authoritative contribution to academic excellence in the field of Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law, in particular constitutional and human rights studies as well as labour law.

Prof. ZA Pretorius

For his outstanding research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence and international stature in the field of plant pathology and plant sciences at the UFS.

Me JS Prophet

For her outstanding role as developer of a service-centred library, as pioneer in electronic information systems and staff diversity, as the personification of professionalism and quality.

Mr. B Ramahlele

For his pioneering role in establishing diversity and the personal risk, courage and determination with which he, as a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.

Prof. FP Retief

For his outstanding leadership role, and contributions as founder Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and as Rector, particularly the first important steps in respect of multicultural and parallel-medium teaching at the UFS.

Prof. WJ Richards

For his outstanding contribution, as Dean and Vice-Rector, to academic integrity as well as the quality of academic support services at the UFS.

Prof. CD Roode

For his outstanding leadership and contribution, as Registrar (Academic) and Vice-Rector (Personnel and Administration), to the development of the University by establishing and developing a strong and professional administrative structure at the UFS.

Dr. AJ Schoonwinkel

For his central role, as General Manager: Financial and Information Management, in developing and refining the financial management function and systems as well as investment practices of the UFS.

Prof. MT Seaman

For his widely recognised expert leadership and initiatives in developing the teaching and research profile as well as financial sustainability of the Centre for Environmental Management.

Me JSK Sebothe

For her outstanding contribution, over a long period, to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the accommodation services and facilities at the University.

Mr. IT Seshupo

For his pioneering work with regard to labour relations in the founding years of trade unions, as well as in the Human Resources Department.

Mr. MS Shamane

Prof. CF Slabber

For his leadership role and outstanding contribution, as academic and as Dean, to the development of the Faculty of Medicine into one of the best in the country.

Prof. JGC Small

For his research record and contribution, as widely recognised botanist and later as Dean and Vice-Rector: Academic, to academic excellence, academic innovational and transformation management.

Prof. A van A Smit

For his widely recognised unique expertise and key role in the stimulation, careful planning, good evaluation and successful establishment of entrepreneurial activities at the UFS.

Prof. AH Snyman

For his positive leadership in the Faculty of Arts in a difficult rationalisation phase, and his outstanding dedication, calmness and human-centred approach to management.

Prof. DFM Strauss

For his research record and outstanding contribution, as Distinguished Professor in Philosophy and internationally renowned expert in the Reformational tradition, to academic excellence and the international research stature of the UFS.

Mr. PME Strauss

For his outstanding contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.

Mr. S Strydom

For his outstanding contribution, as sports administrator, to the development of Kovsie Sport, effective sport organisation, coaching and facilities at the UFS.

Prof. AH Strydom

For his pioneering role, as Distinguished Professor, in establishing and developing higher education studies and research, as well as his tireless enthusiasm for the constructive transformation of higher education and the empowerment of women and black persons.

Prof. AA Stulting

For his central role and initiatives in teaching, research and community engagement in Ophthalmology, including the establishment of the eye clinic.

Prof. C Swanepoel

For his large contribution to the development of the Department of Music, musicology and church music, the national profile of the University choir, as well as the Free State Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. IN Tau

For his outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the library.

Mr. WA Theron

For his dynamic role in mobilising alumni across the country, but particularly in the Gauteng area, whereby the Kovsie Alumni Trust was also developed strongly.

Mr. D Uys

For his role, as a member of the core team that established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s, in establishing the human resource function and division.

Prof. JG van As

For his outstanding initiatives, research record and contribution to academic excellence in parasitology at the UFS, obtaining contract research funds and exceptional national and international publicity for the UFS.

Prof. HP van Coller

For his exceptional research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor with an extensive international network, to the fields of Afrikaans and Theory of Literature at the UFS.

Prof. DJ van den Berg

For his excellent research and contribution to academic excellence in History of Art, as well as his sustained high-quality contribution to the UFS’s academic publication service and journals.

Mr. A van der Bijl

For his outstanding role, as a member of the core team that established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s, in establishing the finance function, and later the expert development of sophisticated financial management and budgeting systems.

Mr. CHP van der Post

For his valuable contribution, as Council member, to the development of fund-raising at the UFS.

Mr. JH van Deventer

For his exceptional role, as Council member and editor of Volksblad, in initiating and establishing the Matriculant of the Year competition, an important asset in the UFS’s marketing actions.

Prof. HC Janse van Rensburg

For his contribution to academic excellence, solution oriented research as well as academic entrepreneurship by establishing and developing the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development into an internationally recognised research centre.

Prof. HD van Schalkwyk

For his academic entrepreneurship in developing the Department of Agricultural Economics into a widely recognised centre of excellence, high-quality contract research and financial self-support.

Prof. JH van Schalkwyk

For his widely recognised expert contribution, over a period of more than 25 years, to the establishment and development of Law of Succession and Estate Law at the UFS, as well as the management and development of the Department of Private Law.

Prof. MCE van Schoor

For his outstanding support and role, as chair of the Library Committee, in planning and modernising the UFS’s library facilities and services, as well as his national profile as esteemed historian.

Prof. CB van Wyk

For his large contribution, over a long period, as academic and later Dean, to the development of the capacity and quality of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Prof. GN van Wyk

For his leadership and thoroughness, as Dean, in developing academic excellence in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and his renewing management in forming and establishing the new Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Prof. H van Zyl

For her outstanding role as a member of the turn-around team which turned the financial position of the UFS around and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as her pioneering role as a woman a senior management position at the School of Management.

Prof. D Vermaak

For his pioneering work in transformation through his initiatives, during the apartheid era, to empower education officials, teachers and postgraduate students from disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

Prof. T Verschoor

For his pioneering role in managing diversity at student level, and the courage with which he, as Dean of Students and a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.

Prof. JJP Verster

For his contribution to academic excellence and initiatives regarding research, the establishment of the journal Acta Structilia, the Centre for Construction Entrepreneurs and distance teaching in professional degrees.

Mr. H Verster

For his role as leader in the significant development and professionalisation of the public relations and fund-raising functions at the UFS, as well as his role as joint founder of Kovsie Alumni Trust.

Prof. DA Viljoen

For his strategic role as a member of the turn-around team which turned the financial position of the UFS around and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as his key role in establishing management training and a School of Management at the UFS.

Prof. MJ Viljoen

For her pioneering work as a team member in the establishment of the MUCPP, as well as her leadership and contribution, as a woman in a senior management position, to academic innovation in Nursing and community health at the UFS and in South Africa.

Prof. PE Viljoen

For his long and sustained contribution to the development of the Department of Physics from a position of vulnerability to a strong centre of expertise and research in surface physics.

Prof. RA Viljoen

For his dedicated service and leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the key role that he, as Deans’ representative, played in respect of strategic matters as well as rationalisation processes at the UFS.

Prof. KUT von Delft

For his research and outstanding contribution to academic excellence in the field of German at the UFS, as well as his contribution to academic management, quality and integrity at the UFS.

Prof. DJV Weich

For his strong role and national profile in establishing and developing Internal Medicine as a discipline at the UFS.

Prof. SJ Wessels

For his key contribution, during the vulnerable establishment phase of the MUCPP, whereby he made ideas become sustainable realities through dedicated and patient community liaison work.

Prof. PI Wilke

For his positive leadership and effective management as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, creating space for departments to grow, as well as his many Africa initiatives.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 October 2004

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