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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.
Former UFS Council member dies
2010-07-27
The University of the Free State (UFS) is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Ms Cheryl Gillwald who passed away in Cape Town this week after a short illness.
Ms Gillwald served on the UFS Council as one of the representatives of the then Minister of Education, Ms Naledi Pandor, for the remaining period of the term of Dr Shirley Walters from 26 March 2006 to 31 December 2006. She was reappointed to the Council by the minister for another term of four years from 1 January 2007.
However, she resigned from the Council on 1 May 2007 and relocated to the UK with her family.
Ms Gillwald is the former Deputy Minister of the national departments of Justice and Correctional Services.