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UFS sympathises with the passing of Dr Dolf van Niekerk

03 January 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Evert Kleynhans

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.

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First-years battle for athletics glory

2014-01-24

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First-year students had their first taste of sports rivalry at Kovsies, taking part in the annual first-year athletics meeting. The students engaged in friendly battle on the track and field, a battle that saw Wag-‘n-Bietjie, Vishuis and Conlaurês residences crowned as winners.

Wag-‘n-Bietjie won their fourth consecutive best female residence trophy. Conlaurês beat Outeniqua, Imperium and Kagiso residences to be crowned Co-ed residence winners.

A highlight on the Kovsie calendar, the athletics meeting was attended by hundreds of first-year and senior students who flocked to the Pellies Park stadium. Dressed in colourful attire, spectators and athletes braved a short, but welcome burst of rain to cheer on their favourites. Spurred on by Rudi Buys, Dean of Students, and members of the Student Representative Council, Kovsiegees reigned supreme.

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