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29 March 2022 | Story Teli Mothabeng | Photo Supplied
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. 


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.

Star of Stars Flyer 2022  aplicayion for the 2022 Free State Star of Stars competition open on 1 April 2022.

News Archive

Scaena Theatre: Steel Magnolias
2007-08-22

Steel Magnolias

By: Robert Harling
Director: Elizna Pieters

With: Eileen van der Merwe, Nicole Smit, Nastacia de Klerk, Jenette Vivier, Isabel Mostert, Ilse Hancke

Steel Magnolias is a must-see production soon to be performed by drama students in their second year at the University of the Free State. It is directed by Elizna Pieters, currently doing her B.A. Drama and Theatre Arts (Hons) in directing.

The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon: Ouiser ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years"), an eccentric millionaire; Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a "good ole boy”.

Although filled with hilarious repartee and verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when the spunky Shelby, a diabetic, risks pregnancy. Soon the women realize that they share everything, from the shampoo and gossip right down to love, loss and an underlying strength. This gives the play and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Steel Magnolias can be seen at the Scaena Theatre on the UFS campus, on 11 and 13 September 2007 (English Production).

Ysterasters is te sien in die Sceana Teater (UV-kampus) op 12 en 14 September.  (Afrikaanse Produksie)

Reservations / Tickets: Department Drama and Theatre Arts

Emmie van Wyk - +27 51 401 2160

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