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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

Kovsies excell in Free State Senior Open Badminton Championships
2009-09-14

Wiaan Viljoen, a student at the University of the Free State (UFS) won this year’s men’s singles at the Free State Senior Open Badminton Championships that took place in Bloemfontein the last weekend.

According to Ms Janine de Kock from KovsieSport at the UFS, Kovsie players Chris Dednam, Wiaan Viljoen and Annari Viljoen played a good game when they participated together with other top Protea players of South Africa and Botswana in the different divisions.

Wiaan beat Roelof Dednam (FS) 21/11 en 21/6 in the finals. In the men’s doubles final Wian again triumphed when he, together with Dorian James (WP), beat the Dednam brothers 17/21, 21/18 and 21/19.

In the women’s doubles final Annari Viljoen and Michelle Edwards (WP) defeated Charne du Preez (NG) and Stacey Doubell 21/12 and 21/10.

In the mixed doubles final Chris Dednam and Anneri Viljoen lost against Dorian James and Michelle Edwards.

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