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03 January 2023
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Story Lacea Loader
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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.
State of our campuses #1
2017-02-22
After yesterday’s disruption of academic activities on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), a memorandum was handed to the UFS management by members of the Transitional Student Council (TSC) and the Free Education Movement (FEM) in the late afternoon.
Some disruption of classes occurred last night and again today. The university management handed a response on the memorandum to student leaders this afternoon.
Contingency plans for the safety and security of staff and students are still in place and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are on standby. The senior leadership continues to monitor the situation with the support and assistance of the SAPS and will deploy all lawful means to minimise disruption and maintain the academic programme.
The academic programme continues as normal. Any updates will be shared on the university’s communication platforms.
A voice clip has been circulating among UFS students since yesterday. The clip did not originate from the UFS. It has been in circulation at universities in the country for at least the past 12 months. UFS staff and students should not feel threatened by the content thereof.
Disruption of academic activities: 21 February 2017
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393