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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.
Renowned conductor Arnold Bosman commemorated
2010-02-15
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Pictured, from the left, are: Willem Bosman jr., Prof. Nicol Viljoen and his wife, Prof. Martina Viljoen, Mrs Bosman, Mrs Jansen, Prof. Jansen and Dr Bosman.
Photo: Dr Hubertus Bargenda |
The special commemorative concert in honour of renowned conductor and pianist, Arnold Bosman, who died at the age of 47 in Italy five years ago, recently took place in the Anglican Cathedral in Bloemfontein. Bosman, previously from Bloemfontein and a former learner of Grey College, died from a brain tumour. This special event was requested by Dr Willem Bosman, his father, who approached Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), and the UFS Department of Music to commemorate his son’s premature death. Dr Bosman stated that he would like to donate his son’s musical inheritance to the UFS. The catalogue of sheet music to be donated to the UFS was officially handed over to Prof. Jansen by Dr Bosman’s son and only inheritor, Willem Bosman jr.