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05 July 2023 | Story André Damons and Samkelo Fetile
VC Concert

2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Concert

The Vice-Chancellor’s Concert is a highlight on the University of the Free State (UFS) social calendar and one of the most anticipated events of the year. If last year is anything to go by, we are set for another entertaining night of music.

This year, the concert once again provides an opportunity for the talented UFS community to be part of this amazing showcase of musical performances. The Vice-Chancellor’s Concert is for everyone who loves music, singing, performing, and showing off their amazing talents.

Last year’s concert was a huge success, with performances by the Free State Youth Wind Ensemble, Tidimalo Mholo, the Odeion String Quartet, Mafusi Leseo, the trio of Du Preez Stoltz, Levert Solomons, and Riaan Naudé, and the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir conducted by Werner Stander. Sibongile Mngoma delivered a mind-blowing performance of the soulful, calm, and magical ‘Inner Peace’, making the song her own and ‘wowing’ the audience in the process. Mngoma was accompanied by Joseph Kunnuji on trumpet and Anton Esterhuyse on piano. Martinette Spoelstra performed the classic ‘River Deep, Mountain High’, followed by a first-rate performance of ‘Everything’ by Naledi Mohapi.

UFS alumnus, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg – a talented full-time practising cardiothoracic surgeon, also known as ‘the singing surgeon’ – also mesmerised the audience, while current UFS staff member, Dr Patricks Otomo, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, captured the audience with his rendition of ‘Feels like Home’. The UFS Choir, conducted by Sibongile Mngoma, captivated the audience with an effortlessly blended medley of genres by 49 majestic voices.

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, called the concert “indicative of incredible talent, immense preparation, and hard work. It was a beautifully crafted programme with talented musicians in an exquisite setting of the UFS”.

Staff, students, and alumni who want to showcase their musical talents and who are ready to entertain and mesmerise the audience by shining on the big stage, are invited to submit their entries as a singing group or solo item from the genres contemporary jazz, soul, or pop / popular music by 28 July 2023.

The concert takes place on Friday 1 September 2023.

News Archive

Young academics empowered in research environment
2009-05-05

 
Young academics who attended the workshop are, from the left, Mr Lehlohonolo Mathengtheng, Department of Medical Virology; Dr Annelize Venter, Research Directorate; Mr Ferdi van der Walt (Facilitator), University of Johannesburg; Ms Telishia Flusk, Research Directorate; and Mr Dirk Strydom, Department of Agricultural Economics.
The Research Capacity Development Office under the auspices of the Directorate for Research Development Office endeavours to empower young academics at the University with skills to enable them to be established within the competitive mainstream of research. The Office recently organised a series of thematic workshops aimed at assisting young academics to acquire the “know-how” in terms of developing and writing proposals including, writing for funding. Such strategic support has lead to the University recording an increase in funding from the Thuthuka Programme of the National Research Foundation over the past five years. Thuthuka grants are made available on a competitive basis where applications are subjected to a peer-review process. This suggests that the quality of applications from the University is of a high quality.

The recent thematic workshops were facilitated by Prof. L Lategan, Dean for Research at the Central University of Technology as well as Mr Ferdi van der Walt, from the Research Office at the University of Johannesburg.

Young academics who attended the workshop are, from the left, Mr Lehlohonolo Mathengtheng, Department of Medical Virology; Dr Annelize Venter, Research Directorate; Mr Ferdi van der Walt (Facilitator), University of Johannesburg; Ms Telishia Flusk, Research Directorate; and Mr Dirk Strydom, Department of Agricultural Economics.

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