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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

Athletics SA hosts cross-country championships at our university
2011-09-28

 

Zola Budd
Photo: Johan Roux

According to Mr DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport at our university, Athletics South Africa’s Cross Country-Championships, which was hosted on our Bloemfontein Campus, was a great success. Not only did a record number of 3 368 athletes register for the championships, but a record number of spectators – between 10 000 and 12 000 – also attended.

Well-known former Kovsie athlete, Zola Budd, who was the World Cross-Country Champion in 1985 and 1986, gave an outstanding performance at this event and triumphed as the overall winner in the 30-70 age group. What made her performance even more remarkable was her time of 14:37 in the 4 km race, which was faster than any of the girls in the 14-17 age group.

Kovsie student, Danel Prinsloo, also gave a good performance by finishing 6th out of 79 athletes in the junior women’s category. Danel, Charity Moletsane and Jessica Stevens (also from the UFS), won the bronze medal in the junior women’s team competition.
Khothatso Mokone obtained a 17th place (out of 70 athletes) in the senior men’s division. He also contributed to the Free State’s bronze medal in the 12 km team competition.

Other Kovsie athletes who contributed to the team competition medals for the Free State were Marili du Buisson, who won a bronze medal in the 4 km race for women under 21, and Maryna Swanepoel and Nelmaré Loubser, who both received bronze medals in the senior women’s 8 km race.

Danie Cronjé, former Kovsie and current Chairperson of the Kovsie Athletics Club, obtained a gold medal by winning the 8 km race for men aged 55-59 in a time of 30:37.
 

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