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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

Rag queen and Mr Rag crowned this year
2012-02-07

 

Rino Balsamo and Shivani Dhar

For the first time in the history of our university, there was a Mr Rag standing next to the Rag queen this year.

Kovsies Rag’s Community Service hosted the annual Rag Coronation Ball on Friday 3 February 2012. Shivani Dhar, a medical student, was crowned as Rag Queen.

Shivani takes over the crown from the 2011 Rag Queen Henrika Sabbagha who did an excellent job during her reign.

Rino Balsamo, who is doing a master’s degree in architecture, scooped the coveted title of Mr Rag.

Rino and Shivani will act as ambassadors for Rag and the university this year. They will attend public events and be closely involved in community service.

The Rag finalists collected more than R700 000 which will be used exclusively for charity organisations of their choice.

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