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UFS sympathises with the passing of Dr Dolf van Niekerk

03 January 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Evert Kleynhans

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 Centenary 2004/05: Sports Festival

2004-05-07

Win or lose! It is part of sportsmanship. The Kovsie Sports Festival will take place on Thursday, 13 May to Saturday, 15 May 2004, as part of the UFS’s centenary celebrations. Through this event, Kovsiesport will focus on the many sports opportunities offered on campus. Fit or unfit, first team or no team, there is an opportunity for every staff member and student to participate.

This exceptional sporting weekend will start on Thursday, 13 May 2004 at 17:15, with a 2,5km fun run (or walk) on the campus. It will start at Pellies Park (the first official rugby field on campus). Men and women will take part separately in five different categories. They are:

Lecturing staff members
Administrative staff members
Support service staff members
Hostel residents
Alumni

After the fun day on Thursday, the serious sports activities will commence. Different league matches are scheduled to take place from Friday, 14 May to Saturday afternoon, 15 May 2004. The Northern Tertiary Tennis League, as well as the Cross Country City League will take place. Hockey, netball, cricket, squash, basket ball, rugby and soccer matches have also been scheduled. The Shimla’s City Cup match will take place on Saturday afternoon on Shimla Park.

After the sports activities on Saturday evening, we will have another chance to socialize. Medix Residence is organising a special Idols concert at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre as part of this fun weekend. Idols from 2002 and 2003 will perform. They are Brandon October, Anke Pietrangelli, Poseletso Sejosingoe and Bianca le Grange. Tickets are available at Computicket (Greyhound stall, Tourist Centre in Park Way).

The festival will be a weekend to relax and enjoy. Please participate in the fun walk, support Kovsiesport and join the Idols in an evening of song.

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