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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.
Language Day celebrated on campus
2010-08-19
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UFS staff members showed their support for Language Day by wearing a hat.
Photo: Christiaan van der Merwe |
It was for the second time this year that the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners (GRA) Language Day. Language Day is annually commemorated countrywide on 14 August to celebrate the existence of Afrikaans as a language. The other languages in the department were also involved as part of the celebrations, giving an extra flavour to the celebrations. Apart from the sale of various delicacies and a barbeque, competitions and the sound of the music in the respective languages added to the festive atmosphere and enjoyment.