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03 January 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Evert Kleynhans
Dr Dolf van Niekerk
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.

News Archive

UFS hosts Australian scientists
2008-08-25

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State recently hosted a delegation of Australian agricultural and environmental scientists and farmers at the Paradys Experimental Farm. The group is currently travelling through Southern Africa on an exploratory fact-finding mission aimed at learning more about local soil conservation practices and agriculture in general. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, and scientists from the faculty as well as members of the Australian delegation made presentations as part of the visit. Pictured from the right standing, are: Mr Simon Proust (Soil Conservationist), Prof Van Schalkwyk, Mr John Lawrie (Catchment Co-odinator) and Ms Anne Williams (farmer and President of Central Western Conservation Farming Association). Seated from the left, are: Mr Ian Packer (Senior Soils Officer) and Robert Goodear (farmer).
Photo: Volksblad

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