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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. 

News Archive

Staff and their children among proud graduates
2013-04-19

19 April 2013
  •  Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Neil Heideman’s son O’Ryan received a BA degree. O’Ryan’s mom, Estelle Heideman is the Director of the Health and Wellness Centre. O’Ryan’s graduation ceremony was made even more special when his dad – instead of the Registrar, Dr Derek Swemmer – draped his graduation sash around his shoulders.

  • Chairperson of the Department of Consumer Science, Prof Hester Steyn’s two daughters Sanet and Constanze both received their degrees cum laude. Constanze (left) obtained a BA Music degree and Sanet a BA Honours in English. Sanet recently received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship and she leaves in August for Groningen in the Netherlands where she will study for her master’s degree.

  • Faculty Manager at the Faculty of Law, Adri Kotzé’s daughter Adéle received a BA Communication degree cum laude. Adéle is currently busy with her honours in Afrikaans and Dutch.

  • Secretary of the Department Chairperson: Plant Sciences, Nelmari Janse van Rensburg received a BEd Pre-school and Foundation Phase degree.

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