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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.
Free State High Court sets aside the claim of former students Muller and Blom against the UFS and its leaders
2016-02-03
Former students of the University of the Free State (UFS) Cobus Muller and Charl Blom lost both claims made against the institution and a punitive cost order was made against them.
This comes after a letter of demand was issued to the UFS on 5 March 2015 in which Muller and Blom claimed R5 150 000 each in compensation from the university. The first claim for contractual damages was withdrawn without explanation in December 2015 and the full wasted costs were tendered. Subsequently a claim for defamation of character was also set aside by Free State High Court. The Court further ordered the two former students to pay punitive damages.
The UFS leadership is satisfied that justice was served and regards the decision of the High Court as final.