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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.
Inter-religion Forum established at UFS
2010-05-28
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Persons who attended the founding meeting are, from the left, front: Mr Sunil Poken (representative from the Hindu religion), Ms Ria Paz (Jewish religion), Mr Ronnie Rosen (Jewish religion); back: Rev. Nic Schmidt (Christian), Mr Misaac Davids (Bah'ai religion), Mr Douglas Henney (Bah'ai religion), Rev. Maniraj Sukdaven (Christian religion), and Mr Kebra Melkitsedek (Rastafarian religion).
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| An Inter-religion Forum (IRF) was established by Rev. Manirjaj Sukdaven, Head of the Department Religion Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS). Representatives from different religions were invited to the founding meeting of the IRF. Religions that showed interest to become involved in the IRF include, amongst others, Ba’hai, Rastafarians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists en New Age followers. The IRF will, amongst others, assist in the compilation of course material about different religions. The forum has also arranged a series of meetings where representatives of different religions discussed the question, “Why am I here?” This is the first forum of this nature at a tertiary institution in South Africa. |