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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

Shimlas now the log leaders - Undefeated Kovsies beat Maties 21-16
2015-03-04

Photo: Johan Roux

Being the only unbeaten team in the 2015 Varsity Cup rugby tournament, it comes as no surprise that our Shimlas are on top of the log.

Shimlas beat the Stellenbosch University Maties side 21-16 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Monday night, 2 March 2015. As yet, Maties have no wins, while the Shimlas have no losses. Shimlas now top the 2015 Varsity Cup log, with Tuks – the only side to have managed not to lose against Shimlas – trailing by one point in the second position.

Niel Marais, Shimlas flyhalf, touched down and converted his try to give the home side an early start. Maties fired back shortly after, scoring their first try of the night, and leaving the teams tied into the first strategy break at 8-8.

Shimlas took the lead back just after the break when skipper, AJ Coertzen, scored a try in the corner, and Marais again succeeded in the touchline conversion, putting them in a 16-8 lead. Yet again, it was not long after this that Maties leveled the score to 16-16 before the half-time break.

The second half was a bit quieter on the scoreboard. The only point scoring action was Shimlas replacement, Daniel Maartens, who crossed the try line to give his side the necessary five-point lead.

The Shimlas point scorers:
Tries: Marais, Coertzen, Maartens
Cons: Marais 2

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