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Allan Gray Achievement Awards recognise outstanding UFS EMS Faculty students

07 November 2023 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo SUPPLIED

Katherine Swartland, a representative from Allan Gray addressing the delegation at the Allan Gray Achievement Awards, hosted on the UFS’s Bloemfontein Campus.

The Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with Allan Gray, proudly hosted the annual Allan Gray Achievement Awards on 11 October 2023. This special event, held at the Awela Restaurant on the UFS’s Bloemfontein campus, was designed to celebrate the academic achievements of top-performing students within the faculty, recognising their excellence based on their year of study.

The award ceremony was attended by distinguished members of the EMS Faculty, the Commercio Students Association, and a delegation from Allan Gray, including Katherine Swartland, Managing Business Analyst, Yonela Makalima, Business Analyst, and Steven Motloung, Manager. The evening's guest speaker was Liz Letsoalo, a renowned entrepreneur and TEDx speaker. Notably, this ceremony marked a significant return to in-person events since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Katherine Swartland, who served as the programme director, described this resurgence as truly exciting.

The award winners

The Allan Gray Achievement Awards highlighted outstanding students from various year levels. In the second-year category, Modisaotsile Seekoei received a prestigious award of R5 000 along with a Thule backpack, while Melissa Mlotshwa was granted a prize of R3 000. Among the third-year students, Anthea Ralane was recognised with an award of R8 000 and a Thule backpack, and Modiehi Mpakathe was the recipient of a R5 000 prize. In the fourth-year category, Kelebogile Motlhanke earned a remarkable R12 000 reward and a Thule backpack, and Rykers Lues was presented with a prize worth R8 000.

Although not all students attending the ceremony received awards, Prof Brownhilder Neneh, the Vice Dean for Research Engagement and Internationalisation, aptly reminded the audience, ’It is important to recognise that each of you here is already a winner, as your presence signifies that you are among the top achievers in your field. You have demonstrated that with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to your goals, there are no limits to what you can accomplish.’’

A longstanding relationship

The Allan Gray Achievement Awards holds deep roots in a special relationship between the UFS and Allan Gray. Swartland noted that this initiative was founded by Faizil Jakoet, an executive at Allan Gray, and the awards ceremony, in part, celebrates the continued partnership between the UFS and Allan Gray. This enduring relationship has thrived for over a decade, despite changes in leadership, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement between Allan Gray and UFS students. Swartland further emphasised the importance of this bond, saying, ‘’Another special relationship is formed every time we visit the UFS, between us and you, a lot of exceptional students.”

As the event approached its conclusion, the audience had the privilege of hearing from guest speaker Liz Letsoalo, Founder of Masodi Organics, a prominent beauty and wellness brand. Letsoalo’s address centered on the ‘practicality of creating’, encouraging students to view themselves as creators, allowing them to pivot and adapt as their aspirations evolve. She urged students to stay dedicated to their dreams, emphasising that taking necessary actions and persevering is essential to turning their dreams into reality.

The Allan Gray Achievement Awards signify the remarkable achievements and potential of the UFS EMS Faculty students. This event not only celebrates academic excellence, but also reinforces the enduring partnership between the University of the Free State and Allan Gray, paving the way for further opportunities and engagement.

Prof Brownhilder Neneh and Anthea Ralane

Prof Brownhilder Neneh and Melissa Mlotshwa

Prof Brownhilder Neneh and Modisaotsile Seekoei

Prof Brownhilder Neneh and Kelebogile Motlhanke

News Archive

Inter-country adoptions can offer relief

2009-08-12

At the occasion were, in the front: Prof. Hennie Oosthuizen, head of the Department of Criminal and Medical Law, UFS; back: Adv. Mariëtte Reyneke, head of the Unit for Children’s Rights and senior lecturer in the Department of Law of Procedure and Law of Evidence, UFS, Judge of Appeal Belinda van Heerden, and Adv. Beatri Kruger, also from the Unit for Children’s Rights and senior lecturer in the Department of Criminal and Medical Law, UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett

Inter-country adoptions must not be taken lightly; however, in some instances it is suitable and can bring relief to a child. These were the words of Katinka Pieterse from Abba Adoptions, which specialises in inter-country adoptions.

She was one of the expert presenters at a recent workshop on inter-country adoptions that was recently presented by the Unit for Children’s rights in the Department of Criminal and Medical Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Judge of Appeal Belinda van Heerden, an expert in the field of Child and Family Law, gave an overview as well as a Southern African perspective on this controversial topic. The Hague Convention sets international standards to protect children from the inherent dangers that accompany inter-country adoptions. The South African law must be aligned with these international standards by incorporating specific stipulations as well as the Hague Convention into legislation applicable to children. There must also be acted in the best interest of the child, said Judge van Heerden. The authorities have safety measures in place to protect children from these dangers. The starting point remains that inter-country adoptions are only considered once one cannot find suitable care in the country of origin.

Prof. Sheryl Buske from the Charlotte School of Law, North Carolina in the United States of America in particular emphasised the dangers of human trafficking that can take place when inter-country adoptions do not adhere to international safety standards. She also pointed out new developments such as the role of surrogate mothers and the adoption of embryos.

The workshop was attended by a large variety of role players, varying from academics, lawyers, social workers, non-governmental organisations, law students and representatives from governmental institutions. Consequently, light was shed on the topic from a number of angles which will be of value to the respective role players. Jurists from Lesotho also expressed their gratitude for the insight they received.

The workshop was of great value to the university because it served the community with expert presentations on this new and sensitive topic. The guidelines and pitfalls that were discussed and pointed out at the workshop cleared uncertainties and brought new insight to the different professions and role players in the field. Furthermore, the bond between the academia and practice were developed and strengthened by the establishment of further cooperation between the parties.

Media Release:
Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
11 August 2009

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