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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.
Splashdown showdown
2014-02-12
Following a successful Gateway Programme, first-year students dove straight into yet another scintillating activity. The first-years’ swimming gala provided an ideal opportunity for our new Kovsies to cement their new-found friendships. The action was not limited to the water, though. Students’ singing, dancing and cheering filled the air with electrifying intensity.
Residences also banded together in their respective colleges to compete for the best body painting. Individual residences also battled it out for showing the highest spirit.. “I had just arrived at my house, when something in me swayed me to drive back to join in the swimming festivities with our students, and I am excited to have joined this event. It’s always memorable,” said Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Affairs.
East College walked away with the trophy for the best body painting and House Armentum’s enthusiasm earned them the Glass-Spirit trophy.