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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

First profound deaf person with South African Sign Language as first language to graduate at UFS
2012-04-04

 

Natalie Jordaan and her parents.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
4 April 2012

Natalie Jordaan is the first profound deaf person with South African Sign Language as first language of the Unit for Students with Disabilities to graduate a the UFS's graduation ceremony. She receive a B.Com. IT. degree this week. Natalie is an IT developer at Multichoice in Randburg. Seen with her, are her father and mother, Mr Hennie Jordaan and Mrs Trilby Jordaan, who are both working at the ABSA head office in Johannesburg. South African Sign Language is also their first language.

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