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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.
Diversity targets in most residences reached, says UFS Rector
2008-02-01
The integration of student residences at the University of the Free State (UFS) is proceeding smoothly and the diversity targets in most of the formerly white residences, except one, have been reached.
This is according to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, who was speaking today during the official opening of the University.
However, he did acknowledge that the diversity target for white male students who should be living in formerly black male residences has been very difficult to attain.
“It is hoped that new initiatives will result in more success in this regard in 2009. Other elements of the approved residence diversity plan also create new opportunities for addressing this problem”, he said.
Prof Fourie also commended the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the student leadership of the UFS for assisting with the implementation of the new policy.
Last year the University Council set a target of achieving a minimum diversity level of 30% in all junior residences in 2008.
Media release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
01 February 2008