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29 March 2022
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Story Teli Mothabeng
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Photo Supplied
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Philmon Bitso, Student Recruitment Officer, with the top-10 cohort of the class of 2021 Free State Star of Stars.
The Department of Student Recruitment Services at the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted its annual Free State Star of Stars competition at the Amanzi Private Game Reserve during the first week of March. The event saw some of the brightest young minds in the Free State inducted as UFS first-year students into this year’s top-10 cohort for the competition. This marks the first Star of Stars event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This new cohort consists of a dynamic group of academically gifted students from Quintile 1-3 schools in the Free State who are currently enrolled for different UFS academic programmes, ranging from Medicine, Law, Education, and various Bachelor of Science courses. Many of these students had to overcome insurmountable challenges to perform as well as they did in their Grade 12 academic year and to become part of the top-10 cohort for the class of 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Student Recruitment Services was forced to take a different approach to celebrate these deserving students; consequently, a weekend-long induction camp was the substitute for the annual gala dinner.
Apply for the 2022 Free State Star of Stars competition
The UFS realised the need to establish a platform that recognises and celebrates the diverse and, in most instances, difficult circumstances that disadvantaged schools (Quintile 1-3) are facing. Consequently, the Star of Stars competition was developed and established in 2016. This competition provides disadvantaged Grade 12 learners from all districts in the Free State an opportunity to showcase their excellence, while motivating them to aspire to achieve more.
Kovsie’s short film in top 10 at Jozi Film Festival
2017-08-15
The public can now vote for Dieter du Plessis’
short film, The Ascension, in the Don’t Stop Wondering
competition at the Jozi Film Festival. Photo: Supplied
An outdoor running adventure, a passion for filmmaking and a scenic environment is what made Dieter du Plessis create the adrenaline-driven short film The Ascension.
Dieter, a second year BSc Quantity Surveying student, made the film, which is in the top 10 of the Don’t Stop Wondering competition at the Jozi Film Festival, in partnership with Discovery Networks Africa. “I always had a passion for filmmaking and when a friend informed me about the competition, I just had to enter,” Dieter said.
The Ascension follows trail runner, Simeon du Toit, across a mountainous landscape leaping and running over rugged terrain. Simeon also provides the voice-over that explains the essentials of mountain climbing. Simeon is a keen climber and was the perfect casting choice as he is familiar with the area. “The competition wants to embrace the African spirit, so I wanted to shoot outside to truly capture the African landscapes.”
The Ascension first aired on the Discovery Channel on DStv channel 121 on 1 August 2017. It will air again on 17 and 23 August 2017 at 13:35 and 20:00 respectively. The competition closes on 30 August 2017.
To vote for The Ascension, go to the Discovery Africa website.