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31 May 2023 | Story Sieraaj Ahmed | Photo Sonia Small

The University of the Free State (UFS) Chancellor, Prof Bonang Mohale, and UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, recently hosted the UFS’s 38 th UFS Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards (CDAA) Dinner. The event took place in the Callie Human Centre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus and honoured 10 outstanding UFS alumni for their achievements in both their personal and professional capacities.

“The UFS’s CDAA Awards are important to help represent those without a voice, thereby releasing better humans who care deeply for each other and are meaningfully connected, incredibly constructive citizens who are catalysts of change – to change us from humankind to kind humans, simply because kindness is the highest form of intelligence. To change us from important people to persons of significance – from taking to giving, as a new form of transformative philanthropy,” Prof Mohale told awardees and other UFS alumni who attended the dinner.

UFS alumni excelling in their various fields

Gerda Steyn, who recently made history by becoming the first woman to win the Two Oceans Marathon four consecutive times, was recognised as the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award winner. This is the highest honour bestowed upon an alumnus and celebrates someone who serves to inspire fellow alumni, current students, and the community at large. Steyn’s parents, Pieter and Trudie Steyn accepted the award on her behalf. (A full list of awardees can be found at the end of this story).

Prof Petersen applauded all the winners as well as UFS alumni everywhere who excel in their various fields. “Excellence is part of our DNA, and our valued alumni across the globe are the products of this. We believe the impact our alumni are making at every level should be continuously encouraged for the greater good, through recognition and celebration of achievements. This is why the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony has shed light on the impact of our exceptional alumni for the past 38 years and will continue to do so.”

He urged all alumni to learn more about Vision 130, an elaboration of the UFS’s strategic intent to reposition the institution ahead of 2034, when UFS will commemorate its 130th anniversary. “Vision 130 is centred around the pillars of academic excellence, quality, and impact; creating maximum societal impact with sustainable relationships; and establishing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable university. The alumni honoured this year are an embodiment of our Vision 130, and we congratulate them and look forward to the great achievements that are on the horizon for you and the rest of the UFS community.”

 

Dr Maryam Amra Jordaan - Cum Laude Award. Rene Images Uyleta Nel-Marias - Kovies Ambassador Award
   
Cum Laude Award winner, Dr Maryam Amra Jordaan, with Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Prof Bonang Mohale, UFS Chancellor, at the 38th Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner. Kovsie Ambassador Award winner, Uyleta Nel-Marais, with Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Prof Bonang Mohale, UFS Chancellor, at the 38th Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner.



38th Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards (CDAA) winners – 20 May 2023


Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

GERDA STEYN

 

Young Alumnus of the Year

SEBABATSO TSAOANE

 

Executive Management Award

PROF FRANCOIS STRYDOM

PROF ABDON ATANGANA

 

Cum Laude Award

DR SOLOMON WERTA

DR MARYAM AMRA JORDAAN

PROF ANDRIES STULTING

 

Kovsie Ambassador Award

REHAN GREEFF

UYLETA NEL-MARAIS

ELIZABETH MOKGOSI

 


Click to view documentView Full programme

 

Watch the live stream recording:


 

News Archive

Kovsie Alumni honoured
2011-09-05

 

Kovsie Cum Laude winner Maurice Carpede shows his award. With him is Naude de Klerk(left), Kovsie Alumni Chairperson. 
Photo: Foto 24

Dr John Purchase, Chief Executive of the Agricultural Chamber of Commerce, was honoured as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year by the University of the Free State (UFS) during the annual Kovsie Alumni Awards Dinner on 2 September 2011. Dr Purchase and four other former Kovsies were honoured for exceptional achievements and contributions made to the UFS at this glittering event.

The well-known columnist Mr Willem Theron who writes columns for Beeld and Volksblad, was honoured with the Kovsie Ambassador Award. Another well-known Kovsie, the radio and television personality Mr Maurice Carpede was honoured with the Kovsie Cum Laude Award. Carpede shares this award with Mr Koert Pretorius, Chief Executive of Mediclinic South Africa, they received the award jointly. Mr Arie van der Bijl, retired Financial Director of the UFS, was honoured with the Alumnus Award for exceptional service delivered to the UFS.
 
Dr Purchase, who was unable to attend the award ceremony, expressed his appreciation in a pre-recorded message. He said that Kovsies taught him how to be a leader. Theron, a marketer for the Kovsie Alumni Trust who received the Centenary Medal from the UFS in 2004, said in his acknowledgement speech that he feels humbled by this award. He said Kovsies became both his home and his family.
 
Both Carpede and Pretorius mentioned the impact Kovsies had on their lives. Carpede said he became a Kovsie in the years of transition, a time when words like “whites only” were printed on some doors, but despite all of that, he learnt that not all whites were bad. Pretorius, who was honoured for his contribution to private healthcare in the country, said that Kovsies were the key that unlocked several doors for him.  

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