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09 January 2023 | Story Gerda-Marié van Rooyen | Photo Supplied
Antoinette Louw
Well-known actress and UFS alumna Antoinette Louw won the ‘Best Actress’ award at the European International Film Festival for her role as Rachel in the locally produced film, The Fragile King. Louw graduated cum laude from the University of the Free State Department of Drama in 1996.
Renowned actress Antoinette Louw, an alumna of the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, was recently announced ‘Best Actress’ at the European International Film Festival. She achieved this award for her role as Rachel in the film The Fragile King. Louw is known – among many other characters – for portraying Sara in the 2019 film Die Storie van Racheltjie de Beer (The story of Racheltjie de Beer) and as Inge van Schalkwyk, owner of the boutique in the soap opera 7de Laan. 

Louw, one of seven nominees, says receiving this news six days before Christmas (in 2022) from the film’s producer, Cati Weinek, came as a huge surprise – especially since she was unaware that the film was being shown at the festival.
Although Louw feels ecstatic and humbled after receiving the prize, she says art and judgment thereof remains subjective. “Unlike sports, the arts don’t have winners or losers. Being awarded doesn’t make me better than any of the others (nominees), because the decision is based on the judges’ subjective opinions.”

Telling South African stories

Louw, who has several awards under her belt, did extensive research to portray Rachel, a character struggling with addiction. “The biggest challenge with any role is to honour the story and to remain truthful and in the moment.” The Fragile King – which was filmed over six weeks in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Johannesburg, and North West – is about “lost dreams and people, broken relationships, and loss that reunites people against their will. Although I haven’t seen the film yet, the story is universal.”

She says that when comparing local talent to their international counterparts, South Africa has the same talent. "Financially, however, there is no comparison, as money buys time for better quality productions." Yet, she realises that the grass is not necessarily greener abroad. “I love my country. I am privileged to work here and to be part of our unique stories. Sure, actors get better paid (there) and receive more status, but that’s not what life is about.”

A proud UFS alumna

Replying to why she thinks several former drama students of the UFS are excelling in the arts, she says it is because “we are Free Staters. Our feet are firmly on the ground, and we work hard”. Louw, who received her acting degree cum laude in 1996, was awarded several accolades during her student years. Looking back on her student years, she will never forget the ‘legendary’ year-end parties in the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts. “En verder bly ek tjoepstil!” (Other than that, I won’t say a thing) she laughs.

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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