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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.
UFS students identified
2008-02-29
Statement by Mr Anton Fisher, Director: Strategic Communication at the University of the Free State (UFS)
Classes resumed today (Thursday, 28 February 2008) on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein and everything is calm on campus following yesterday’s protest march in reaction to an extremely offensive and racist video.
The UFS has identified four students in connection with a video that shows black employees of the UFS having to undergo a mock integration ceremony.
They are: Roelof Malherbe (current student), Schalk van der Merwe (current student), Danie Grobler (former student), and Johnny Roberts (former student).
In another development, the UFS has officially reported the matter to the Director of Public Prosecution and supplied a copy of the video. An investigating officer has been appointed and the incident is now being investigated.
Earlier today a lawyer acting for the employees took statements from them concerning the matter.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
28 February 2008