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UFS welcomes 2023 first-year students to the ‘university of their future’

28 February 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli and Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Sonia Small

University of the Free State Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, addressing first-entry first-year students at this year’s official welcoming and Dream Walk event hosted on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses.

‘Welcome to the Kovsie Land. This is the university of your future.’ These words reverberated across the University of the Free State’s (UFS) two campuses as Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, welcomed first-year students to the beginning of their journey to success.

During the annual official welcoming and the second Dream Walk, known as Kovsie Dream, the UFS welcomed first-year students to the university community on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses over two weekends, emphasizing clarity and the committed pursuit of their dreams and aspirations.

University, a step towards harnessing personal development

“University is a valuable stage of growth in your life and an important platform for you to mature and gain personal success. It is a meaningful day marking a new chapter in your life,” said Prof Petersen.

The First-Year welcoming event is an important day on the university’s calendar, and the Division of Student Affairs has pulled out all the stops to ensure that, as one of the most memorable and significant days of the student’s academic journey, it was marked with fanfare and the instilling of the Kovsie spirit and values.

Prof Petersen committed the university to walking the journey with students to see them leave the institution as proud and thriving graduates and UFS alumni.

“Today you stand on the shoulders of many alumni who continue to excel in various fields, not only in South Africa, but on the continent and globally, such as 2016 Olympics gold medallist, Wayde van Niekerk, 2020 Paralympics silver medal winner, Louzanne Coetzee, Free State Cheetahs rugby star, Oupa Mohoje, and former Miss World, Rolene Strauss. The challenge I would like you to sign up for, is to promise yourself, your family, and the UFS that you will develop yourself and try to make society a better place,” added Prof Petersen.

He said: “As you begin your journey as Kovsies, I believe you will forge your path of excellence and expand your potential within the faculties that will be your primary academic home. At the University of the Free State, we inspire excellence and transform lives.”

The University of the Free State management leading first-year students on the Qwaqwa Campus during the
Dream Walk, which also provided an opportunity to complete their dream cards, setting their goals and
future aspirations. (Photo: Sonia Small)

Get set, dream and achieve your goals

From the Callie Human and Mandela Halls respectively, the students participated in a Dream Walk, grouped according to their colleges, having completed dream cards that set goals for their future. In a move to shape the future of student life on the Qwaqwa Campus, on- and off-campus students were incorporated into colleges. This is another fulfilment of the university’s mission to see all students participating fully in student activities and having a holistic campus life experience, regardless of where they stay.

In closing, Prof Petersen said: “At the University of the Free State, we are an institution focused on consistently renewing and reimaging ourselves to effectively impact the communities around us. We equip you for global platforms. We believe that the graduates can operate and exhibit themselves on platforms around the globe.”

The welcoming festivities were closed with serenades by Durban-born Afro-pop songstress and songwriter Azana, former UFS LLB student and UFS alumni, and Van Pletzen band.

Watch the highlights from this year's welcoming:

News Archive

Alumni Voices heralds in festive season with Karl Jenkins production

2013-11-20

The Alumni Voices Chamber Choir, affiliated to the Alumni office of the University of the Free State, heralds in the festive season with a Christmas production with the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir.

Date: 23 and 24 November 2013
Time: 19:30 (23 November 2013)
16:00 (24 November 2013)
Venue: Odeion
Cost: R120

The production by the two choirs, under the direction of Leona Geldenhuys (Alumni Voices) and Johann van der Sandt (Drakensberg Boys’ Choir), is a compilation of new Christmas music by Karl Jenkins.

Two cycles, Stella Natalis, made up from new compositions, and Joy to the World, compiled from well-known traditional Christmas music, are combined in this production.

Stella Natalis (Star of Birth or Star of Origin) celebrates the different aspects of Christmas – Celebro – celebrations, Lullay – the sleeping child, Dona nobis pacem – message of peace, and Jubilate Deo – thanksgiving, forms part of the programme.

The part: JOY TO THE WORLD also includes traditional Christmas music. This fresh and vibrant arrangement of In dulci jubilo, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Silent Night, O Jesu so sweet, Son of Maria and The Virgin Mary had a Baby boy, all new arrangements by Karl Jenkins, promises to be an exciting experience.

This work, which conveys the Christmas message of peace, goodwill and compassion, as well as new beginnings, evokes a colour palette of sound filled with exciting musical inspiration.

The work was written for mixed choir, as well as for an optional choir suitable for children’s voices, trumpet soloist, keyboard, percussion and string ensemble.

The trumpet soloist is Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg, with Johan Cromhout as pianist. Members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra complete the picture.

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