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03 January 2023
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Story Lacea Loader
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Photo Evert Kleynhans
Dr Dolf van Niekerk.
The University of the Free State (UFS) would like to express its condolences to the family and friends of South African author, Dr Dolf van Niekerk, on his passing.
Dr Van Niekerk, the recipient of an
honorary doctorate from the UFS, passed away on 31 December 2022. The UFS awarded a Doctor of Letters to Dr Dolf van Niekerk during its April 2021 graduation ceremony.
Dr Van Niekerk was a celebrated author who also achieved fame as a dramatist and radio presenter. An alumnus of the UFS, he received a BA degree from the university cum laude in 1949. He also played a role in academia and was an emeritus professor at the University of Pretoria until his retirement in 1994. His work includes 27 books in philosophy, poetry, fiction, drama, and memoirs, for which he has received numerous awards. These include the
Eugene Marais Prize, the MER Prize, and the Scheepers Award for Youth Literature.
“Dr van Niekerk is a Kovsie alumnus with a deep connection to the Free State. He played a significant role in the country’s literary history, and it was an honour for the university to award him with an honorary degree. A wordsmith of note, Dr van Niekerk’s contributions to South African literature, radio, and stage will live on," says
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
Disruption of academic activities on the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses
2017-10-18
This morning, a group of students blocked the main entrance of the Qwaqwa Campus and handed a memorandum to the campus management. Academic activities were cancelled and will resume tomorrow (Thursday 19 October 2017).
Disruption of some academic activities occurred on the Bloemfontein Campus this afternoon after a meeting of students took place at the Student Lekgotla. Members of the executive management subsequently met with the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (SRC).
It was agreed that the students want to take part in a march to the provincial government office, demanding free education and the release of the Heher Commission’s Report on the feasibility of fee-free higher education and training by President Jacob Zuma. The executive management supports peaceful protests on matters that are of concern to our students and indicated that the march should include staff and students from the UFS and Central University of Technology, as well as other relevant stakeholders. A memorandum will be handed to the executive management tomorrow.
The situation on the Bloemfontein Campus is under control and is being closely monitored. Academic activities on the campus will also continue as normal tomorrow.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393