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16 May 2022
An image of Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha’s book, I am a Man

The University of the Free State (UFS) Sasol Library, in collaboration with the Office for International Affairs, invites you to the launch of a book by Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, titled I am a man.  In this book, he explains his complex relationship with masculinity, fatherhood, and identity. 

Date: 18 May 2022
Time: 17:00-18:30
Venue: UFS Sasol Library – Level 2

About the author

Dr Jerry Mofokeng
On 28 June 2019, Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree from the University of the Free State (UFS) for his commitment to scholarship and his service to humanity.

Dr Makhetha is an iconic and award-winning South African actor who has appeared in several critically acclaimed films, including Cry, the Beloved Country; Lord of War; Mandela and de Klerk; and the 2005 Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi.  Dr Mofokeng studied at Wits Drama School where he initially majored in Acting, and later went on to study at Columbia University in America, where he obtained his master's degree in Theatre Directing.



About the book:
Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha always felt like an outsider in his family. At the age of 58, he discovers who his real father is. Suddenly his search for identity makes sense. He gives us a glimpse into his family life – his love for his wife and kids, as well as tracing the highlights and disappointments of his career. Along the way, he learns some very important lessons about manhood. This is a memoir, but also a challenge to South African men to live out their masculinity in a responsible way.

News Archive

UFS awarded five South African Research Chairs
2016-09-30

Description: South African Research Chairs Tags: South African Research Chairs

From left to right, Prof Maryke Labuschagne,
Prof Corli Witthuhn (Vice-Rector: Research),
Prof Hendrik Swart and Prof Felicity Burt.

The UFS was awarded five SARChI (South African Research Chairs Initiative) research chairs, the main goal of which is to promote research excellence. In addition, there has been an increase in the rating of the University’s researchers as the result of raised academic standards over the past few years, in line with the UFS’s Academic Project. As of 2016 the UFS has 127 NRF-rated researchers.

The following research chairs have been awarded to the UFS since 2013:

Prof Hendrik Swart from the Department of Physics is the research chair of Solid State Luminescent and Advanced Materials (2013-2017). Prof Swart’s research may assist in reducing vulnerability and contributing to poverty alleviation by providing affordable lighting for people in rural areas through fabricating phosphors and the development of nanophosphors.

Prof Maryke Labuschagne from the Department of Plant Sciences is the research chair of Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops (2016-2020). Prof Labuschagne believes that food security is one of the key factors for stability and prosperity on the continent. Her research and that of her students focuses on the genetic improvement of food security crops in Africa, including such staples as maize and cassava.

Research Chairs have been designed, to attract
and retain excellence in research and innovation
at South African universities.

Prof Melanie Walker, from the Department of Higher Education and Human Development, was awarded the research chair from 2013 to 2017. Prof Walker’s research interrogates the role of higher education in order to advance human development and justice in education and society, especially in relation to severe inequalities and poverty. Significantly, it asks what kind of societies we want, what is important in a democratic society, and thus, what kind of higher education is valuable, relevant and desirable.

Prof Felicity Burt from the Department of Medical Microbiology was recently awarded the research chair from 2016 to 2020, to investigate medically significant vector-borne and zoonotic viruses currently; to define associations between these viruses and specific disease manifestations that have previously not been described in our region, to increase awareness of these pathogens; to further our understanding of host immune responses, which should facilitate development of novel treatments or vaccines and drug discovery.

The Humanities without Borders: Trauma, History and Memory research chair was awarded from 2016 to 2020. The Institute for Social Justice and Reconciliation will use this research chair to investigate historical trauma within two African contexts – those of South Africa and Rwanda. The research hopes to bring insight into the role that memory plays in the formation of the experience of trauma, and to bring about healing of the trauma.

Research Chairs have been designed by the Department of Science and Technology, together with the National Research Foundation, to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African public universities.

 

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