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03 January 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Evert Kleynhans
Dr Dolf van Niekerk
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.

News Archive

UFS launches Wellness Centre
2010-09-14

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently celebrated the launch of the Health and Wellness Centre, which is the amalgamation of the Kovsies HIV/AIDS Centre, Staff Wellness and Kovsie Health, including Kovsie Social Work Services. It was realised that the services of these departments overlap and that more could be achieved in unity. The purpose of the centre is the pursuit of optimal health and wellness as an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making of decisions towards a more balanced and fulfilling life, allowing the UFS community to thrive. It endeavours to be a respected centre of excellence, both nationally and internationally. Pictured from the left, are: Ms Estelle Heideman (Manager: Kovsies HIV/Aids Centre), Dr Annette Prins (Manager: Staff Wellness) and Dr Riana Johnson (Manager: Kovsie Health).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

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