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03 January 2023
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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.
Kovsies excel at International Badminton tournament
2009-11-18
Wiaan Viljoen and Annari Viljoen from the University of the Free State (UFS) won the men’s and ladies double finals respectively at the recent South African International Badminton tournament that was held in Durban.
Wiaan and his team mate Dorian James (WP) defeated Ali Shahhosseini and Mohammadreza Kheradmani from Iran with 22/20, 17/21 and 21/15. Annari and Michelle Edwards (WP) defeated the Iranian pair Negin Amiripour and Nejatzadeh-Sahar Zamanian 21/16 and 21/14.
Several top players from Africa as well as Mauritius, Iran and Scotland competed in the different categories of the event. According to Ms Janine de Kock from KovsieSport at the UFS the 67 entries for the tournament was a big improvement on last year’s entries.
In the mixed doubles finals it was a South African affair with Dorian James and Michelle Edwards who defeated Wiaan Viljoen and Jade Morgan (WP) 21/11 and 21/17.