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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.
USAID visits the UFS
2006-10-11
Delegates from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) visited the Free State as part of a fact-finding mission. USAID is funding a programme for the advancement and creation of job opportunities for small, medium and macro entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. The programme is executed by the UFS in co-operation with EICAfrica, an international consultancy for economic development and capacity building. During a visit to the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein were, from the left, seated: Ms Deborah Kahatano (ECIAfrica), Ms Dana Mullins (USAID), Ms Juliana Rwelamira (ECIAfrica) and Ms Lynette van Niekerk (USAID); back: Mr Challa Mohloli (Co-ordinator of the UFS USAID programme), Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS), Dr Léan van der Westhuizen (Head of Lengau Agricultural Development) and Ms Lieketseng Kolisang (Research Assistant at Lengau Agricultural Development).
Photo: Supplied