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UFS shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Tate Makgoe

05 March 2023 | Story Kekeletso Takang and Lacea Loader | Photo UFS Photo Archive

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Tate Makgoe, member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in the Free State, who passed away on Sunday 5 March 2023 after a car accident.

MEC Makgoe was a UFS Council member as representative of the Free State Premier for two terms, from 1 November 2010 to 31 December 2018. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of Council in his second term.

“On behalf of the UFS Council, the university management, and the university community, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to MEC Makgoe’s family, Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and the Executive Council of the Free State, as well as the Free State education sector at large, for the loss of a great leader,” said Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

MEC Makgoe had a strong relationship with the UFS, which saw him collaborating on numerous projects, including the Internet Broadcast Project from 2012 to 2022, which was aimed at supporting Grade 12 learners and teachers.

Prof Petersen acknowledged MEC Makgoe for his contributions to the university, the institution’s Council, and the province’s education sector. “We are proud to have been associated with MEC Makgoe. Not only in his capacity as MEC, but also as alumnus. He held an Honours degree in Commerce from the UFS and was registered for a PhD in Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the university at the time of his passing. In 2013, he received a Cum Laude Award during the Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony,” said Prof Petersen.

Through continued collaboration and under his leadership, the Free State reclaimed its top spot in the National Senior Certificate examination results in 2019 and has maintained it to date. “This would not have been possible without the leadership of MEC Makgoe; we salute him for the significant role he played, and for his contribution to the success of the province over the past few years,” said Prof Petersen.

News Archive

Eight from UFS elected to ASSAf

2012-09-05

Eight UFS academics have been elected as members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). They follow in the footsteps of seven colleagues who already were elected as members of the Academy.

The new members are Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic; Prof. Melanie Walker, Senior Professor; Prof. Ian Phimister, Senior Professor; Prof. Pumla Godobo-Madikizela, Senior Professor; Prof. Lodewyk Kock, Outstanding Professor; Prof. Hugh Patterton, Department of Biotechnology; Prof. Heidi Hudson, Department of Africa Studies and Prof. Odireleng Ntwaeaborwa, Department of Physics.

ASSAf was established in 1996 with the mission of using science for the benefit of society. New members are elected after nomination by four existing members (at least two of whom do so from personal knowledge of the candidate).

ASSAf has some 350 members and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies.

UFS academics who are already members of ASSAf are Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector; Prof. Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law; Prof. Hendrik Swart, Physics; Prof. André Roodt, Chemistry; Prof. Zakkie Pretorius, Plant Sciences; Prof. Max Finkelstein, Mathematics; Prof. James du Preez, Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; Prof. Maryke Labuschagne, Plant Sciences; and Prof. Neil Roos of our Postgraduate School.

Prof. Aldo Stroebel is a founding member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), the youth branch of ASSAf. SAYAS seeks to provide a voice to young scientists on international issues that interface with science.

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