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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

Sevens rugby adds to KovsieSport titles
2015-04-29

Photo: Varsitysportssa.com

KovsieSport has added yet another trophy to their ever-growing collection when they won the Varsity Sevens rugby tournament over the long weekend. 

The undisputed UFS sevens team outwitted the University of Pretoria (UP) with a 24-19 score in the final match at Villager FC in Cape Town on Monday 27 April 2015.

Trailing behind 7-12 at half time, the UFS sevens fought hard in the second half. Crossing the try line twice in those 10 minutes secured final victory for the team who had also finished the group stages at the top of the standings.

Throughout the tournament, the UFS were unbeaten. They beat the Walter Sisulu University 26-17 in their first match of the weekend. Continuing on their winning way, the UFS beat North-West University Pukke 43-12, overwhelmed University of Cape Town Ikeys 44-14, thrashed University of Fort Hare 36-0, and then toppled the Pukke again in the semifinal.

This was truly the best way for KovsieRugby to round off their 2015 Varsity Cup/Varsity Sports season.

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