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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

Dr Sheila Aronstam receives UFS Alumnus of the Year award

2014-10-23

Dr Sheila Aronstam, recipient of the Kovsie of the Year award and Pieter du Toit, Chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni association.
Photo: Dries Myburgh

The Office for Institutional Advancement at the University of the Free State honoured ten people at this year’s Kovsie Alumni dinner.

Dr Sheila Aronstam received the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year award. Dr Aronstam previously served for eight years on the management of the UFS, where she played a prominent part in the transformation of the UFS. In 2004, with the centenary celebrations of the University of the Free State, Dr Aronstam received a centenary medal for her contribution towards transformation.

She also served on the Council and the Executive of the University of the Free State for period of five years.

In 2014, after a lifelong commitment to Bloemfontein and the University of the Free State, Kovsie Alumni honoured Dr Aronstam as Alumnus of the Year. “Her legacy of equality, tolerance and charity will live forever within the borders of the University of the Free State and the City of Bloemfontein,” said Pieter du Toit, Chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni association.

At this event, Cum Laude awards were bestowed on:

-       Chris Botha, Group Managing Director of Media Shop
-       Pauline Gutter, Free State-based artist
-       Tate Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State
-       Jans Rautenbach, South African screenwriter, film producer and director
-       Johan Volsteedt, former principal of Grey College and involved with the television series Dream School SA.

The Ambassador Award was presented to:

-       Odeion String Quartet at the UFS
-       Sibusiso Tshabalala, programme coordinator of the World Design Capital promotion project.

Executive Management Awards were bestowed on:

-       Prof Johan Nel (Emeritus Assosiate Professor UFS )
-       DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport at the UFS.

Kovsie Alumni also bestowed honorary president awards on Prof Nico du Plessis and Adv Mauritz Randlehoff.

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