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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.

News Archive

Message of appreciation from the UFS acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector: Prof Nicky Morgan

2017-01-04

Dear Colleagues, Students, Parents/Guardians, Alumni, and Friends of the university

The University of the Free State (UFS) successfully completed the 2016 academic year, with the official examination ending on 14 December 2016. We have also completed the last of our graduation ceremonies, and are now preparing to accommodate the additional and ad hoc examinations in the coming weeks.

This comes after the university has successfully readjusted its academic programme in October 2016, subsequent to the disruption of activities and programmes for almost a month. All of this could not have happened without the extraordinary support and dedication of the staff and majority of the students at the UFS.

I would like to thank all our staff, parents/guardians, alumni, and friends of the UFS for the role they played during these challenging months in order to ensure that we could end the academic year successfully. If it was not for your understanding and uncompromising support, we would not have been able to complete the curricula, continue with the exams, and end the year in this way.

However, we all know that this was not an easy task. The sheer dedication and drive of our academic staff to adapt the mode of teaching and assessment of modules must be applauded, as it took courage and perseverance. Not only did they manage to complete the curricula, they also managed to do the assessment almost completely online. The incredible role of our administrative and support staff – including our security personnel – should also be acknowledged with deep appreciation.

This has been a learning experience for all, which has provided us with a solid base for academic recovery in the future.

During its quarterly meeting on 2 December 2016, the UFS Council expressed appreciation to all staff, students, and the university management for the successful completion of the 2016 academic year.

To all our alumni and donors who continued to support the UFS this year – thank you for your commitment, loyalty, and continued contribution.

Looking forward to 2017
The UFS announced on 7 December 2016 that it will be increasing tuition and housing and residence fees for 2017 by 8%. The approved increase in fees is in line with the recommendations by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, on 19 September 2016. The increases were approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016, with the understanding that it would be paid by the Department of Higher Education and Training by means of the fee adjustment grant for qualifying students with a combined family income of not more than R600 000 per annum.

The university management is aware of the economic realities in South Africa, as well as the financial pressure households are experiencing. The long-term financial sustainability of the UFS, as well as the financial constraints which impact teaching and learning, research, and community service, continues to remain of utmost importance to the Council and to the senior leadership of the UFS.

The university management stated its pro-poor approach to student funding on several occasions; that academically deserving students from poor and working class families should receive substantial financial support. For this reason – also because it does not place a burden on poor and working-class families – an increase in tuition fees aligned with the DHET proposal was submitted to Council for approval. The presidents of the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus Student Representative Councils were present and participated in the discussion on fees – also when Council approved the increase.

I am thankful to report that more applications for admission were received for 2017 (42 568) in comparison to 2016 (29 284), and we are excited to welcome first-year students to our campuses in January 2017. See 2017 calendar of events and information.

The necessary safety measures have been taken and contingency plans are in place when students return in 2017. The university management will continue to work with the South African Police Service to ensure stability on the campuses and the uninterrupted continuance of the Academic Project.

In conclusion, I would like to wish you a restful and safe Festive Season. Thank you once again for your crucial role in making the University of the Free State still one of the universities of choice in the country.

Best regards

Prof Nicky Morgan
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State

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