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01 November 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Francis Petersen
Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, delivering a recognition and celebratory message to 44 University of the Free State employees who have completed 20 years and more at the institution.

Speaking at the 2022 Long Service Recognition Awards, celebrating ‘the best’, University of the Free State (UFS) Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, said: “The event is a reminder that the people – the staff – are the university. You are the stars tonight.”

The annual awards ceremony, held in the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus on 21 October 2022, is a flagship event for the UFS to recognise and celebrate staff members who have worked at the institution for 20 to 40 years and longer.

Thanking staff, including those who will be retiring at the end of this year, Prof Petersen said: “Thank you for the contribution you have made to the university. As staff, we are the custodians of the university, and while you are here – if you can – add one more brick to build a better institution that you can be proud of.”

Joining the event was Shadrack Shamane, Human Resources Business Partner in the Division of Human Resources, who has worked for the UFS for 40 years. 

He started as a Labourer in the then Department of Provisioning, and in 1992 he was promoted to Supervisor and Driver. 

Shamane said: “Staying at the UFS so long was for a good cause because of the opportunities offered for growth. Over the years, I managed to complete a Certificate in Labour Law in 2004, Advanced Certificate in 2006, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law in 2008.”

He is also serving as a full-time National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union shop steward.

Also recognised at this year’s awards was Ilse de Beer, Officer in the Project Management Unit of ICT Services. Ilse joined the UFS in 1987 as a Computer Mainframe Operator responsible for monitoring the mainframe, backups, and printing.

De Beer said: “I started working at Computer Services with the Sperry mainframe in 1987 till the last IBM mainframe, growing with changes in ICT Service, and today we work with data centres.”

De Beer was born on the Bloemfontein Campus in 1967 in what used to be her home – the Vishuis Bond behind the Vishuis hostel. 

She said: “I grew up on campus; it was my playground and I had loads of fun times through the years. In 1975, we moved into our own house, which is now the Cairnhall Private Hospital.”

Closing the event, Prof Petersen said: “I also want to thank your partners and line managers who have stood by you, there has been a lot of input coming from them, providing the necessary support.”

He urged staff who will be retiring at the end of the year to look out for the launch of Vision 130 – ‘an elaboration of the strategic intent of the university to reposition itself for 2034, when it will commemorate its 130th anniversary.’

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities
2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of  King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

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