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25 April 2023 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Charl Devenish
lefa Rabas
Lefa Rabase on his graduation day.

When Lefa Rabase matriculated from the Diphetoho Secondary School in Bothaville in the Free State, he was – like many matriculants – unsure about what to study. He initially applied to study education, following a familiar pattern, as many others in his neighbourhood were pursuing studies in education. 

On Friday 21 April 2023, Rabase graduated with a BSc degree in Forensic Sciences, and is currently enrolled for an honours in Forensic Sciences. However, his journey at the University of the Free State (UFS) started when one of ‘his guardian angels’, Noeline Basson, a former employer of his father, and Elfrieda van den Berg, Marketing Manager in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, made it possible for him to not only get into the UFS but to also reach this momentous milestone.  

“They were like my parents, if I can put it that way,” Rabase said. Basson and Van den Berg have been by my side from the first year. “They are still part of my life, and I would like to thank them for that.”  Rabase admits that his journey to graduation was not easy but says that by working hard and believing in yourself, every student can navigate the complex life of being a university student. 

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Ex-Kovsie swimming legend passes away
2013-04-03

03 April 2013

The University of the Free State (UFS) expresses its condolences to the friends and family of former Kovsie and swimming legend, Dr Karen Muir. Dr Muir passed away on 2 April 2013 in Mossel Bay, after battling cancer for a number of years.

Dr Muir enrolled at the UFS in 1971 and completed her MB ChB in 1977. Despite her academic prowess, it was in the swimming pool that Dr Muir achieved even greater acclaim.

Dr Muir was the youngest person ever to hold a world record in swimming or any other international sporting discipline. As a twelve-year old in 1965, she beat the then record time in the 110-m backstroke. After her initial success, she went on to set fifteen more world records in a variety of swim strokes.

During her career she won 22 South African Championships, three United States National Championships and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.

After matriculating in 1970 from Diamantveld High in Kimberley, she retired from swimming to focus full-time on her medical studies. Since then she practised as a physician in Africa and from 2000 onward, in Canada, after relocating.

“We as a faculty mourn her passing and extend our deepest sympathy to her loved ones, family and friends,” said Prof Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

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