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Bittersweet graduation: UFS awards posthumous degree to Mervin Hershel van Wyk

21 April 2023 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo CHARL DEVENISH

Magdalene de Koker — Magdalena de Koker accepts a posthumous degree on behalf of her late son, Mervin Hershel van Wyk.

A grieving mother brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone present during a graduation ceremony at the University of the Free State (UFS) on Thursday 20 April, when she took to the stage to accept her late son’s posthumously awarded master’s degree.

The usually festive and jovial graduation spirit inside the Callie Human Centre at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus turned sombre in a matter of seconds as Magdalena de Koker ascended the stage to receive her son Mervin Hershel van Wyk’s degree. The Faculty of Theology and Religion student had been on track to receive a Master of Theology degree with a specialisation in Church History and Polity, but passed away before his graduation ceremony. The posthumous degree awarding honoured Van Wyk’s memory and acknowledged his family’s support throughout his academic journey.

“My emotions are conflicted,” De Koker said. “I feel a sense of pride for my son’s accomplishments, and eagerly anticipated celebrating his graduation. However, the profound loss of my son has left me devastated. Instead of being a spectator, cheering him on from the audience, I now find myself standing in his place on stage, wearing unfamiliar shoes, unsure where the toe or heel lies.”

His legacy lives on

Before closing the ceremony Professor Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the UFS, said he cried because this degree had to be conferred posthumously.

“This is sad, tragic, and regrettable,” Prof Mohale said. “We all pray and hope that our children will bury us. Mama, we pray that you get peace by acknowledging the current trauma and pain, so that there can be some acceptance in order to start the process of healing. And with that process of healing comes forgiveness. The wonderful thing about forgiveness is that it allows more healing. May the good Jehovah be with the family and the whole clan. When we pray, we say ‘Thy will be done’. Thank you, in the wake of your pain, for making the time to be with this greater family of Kovsies.”

Dr Eugene Fortein, Senior Lecturer in Church History and Polity, said his late student was an inspiration to many. “He firmly believed that God cared about the suffering of the impoverished and oppressed, and that justice would be served to those often overlooked. These convictions fuelled his involvement in politics, unafraid to use his Christian beliefs to advocate for change through protests. His trial sermon last year from Amos 5 – ‘But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream’ – embodied his unwavering conviction that justice and righteousness were integral to his faith.”

Van Wyk’s passing is huge a loss for his family, friends, and the UFS and South African academic communities. His dedication and commitment to his studies serve as an inspiration to all those who knew him. The UFS community mourns the loss of a talented student and scholar, but his legacy will continue to live on through his contributions to the field of theology.

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Qwaqwa Campus honours academic excellence

2017-05-18

Photo: Ian van Straaten

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Qwaqwa Campus kicked off the 2017 graduations season of the University of the Free State in style when over 550 degrees and certificates were conferred in three sessions on 12 and 13 May 2017. These included five PhDs from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

In his maiden speech delivered during the two ceremonies on Friday 12 May 2017, the newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Francis Petersen, emphasised the interconnectedness of graduates with other stakeholders in their communities.

“Never forget the role played by other people who sacrificed a lot for you to be here today. Recognise the extra mile that someone was willing to go for you to graduate,” he said to an enthusiastic audience that included Grade 12 learners from neighbouring schools.

Prof Petersen also reminded the graduates that not everybody had an opportunity to enter, enrol, and eventually graduate at a university. “You are part of the privileged few, and I am confident that the UFS has given you an equal opportunity to reach your full potential. You have had years of exposure to ideas and experiences on diversity. You now have the opportunity to show the world and to use what you have learnt beyond a classroom,” he added.

“Go out there and open doors for others as much as they were opened for you. I implore you to carry over your experiences of diversity and use them to build a better world. Go out there and build a better world, not only for yourself but for everyone in need. Expand your influence, reach out, and be accountable,” he said.

“South Africa needs your skills,
innovation, knowledge, expertise,
and creativity.”

Make your own unique contribution
The session held on Saturday 13 May 2017 saw the Principal of Motheo TVET College and Qwaqwa Campus alumnus, Dipiloane Phutsisi, having a heart to heart with the graduates from the Faculty of Education.

“Our contribution to the world as graduates will not be measured by the wealth we accumulate or the accolades we receive, but rather by the way in which we share our unique gifts with the world. And the only place to find those gifts is to look within yourself. As the class of 2017, make your own unique contribution,” she said.

“Your graduation takes place at a particularly challenging time in the history of our democracy. It happens at a time when our nation is engulfed by racial polarisation, anger, confusion about what democracy and freedom mean to us, and at a time when the pillars of morality are tested.”

“As you graduate, I wish to remind you that our country needs you more than ever before. South Africa needs your skills, innovation, knowledge, expertise, and creativity,” she said.

Three members of the current SRC were also among the graduates. They are the President, Njabulo Mwali (BSc Information Technology), Sports Affairs Officer, Ntokozo Thango (BA Sociology), and Student Development and Environmental Affairs Officer, Ntokozo Masiteng (BA Sociology).

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