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30 August 2024
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Story Jacky Tshokwe
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Photo Supplied
Prof Anmari van der Westhuizen – a renowned contemporary solo cellist and academic at the University of the Free State (UFS).
In May 2024, Prof Anmari van der Westhuizen – a renowned contemporary solo cellist and academic at the University of the Free State (UFS) – represented South Africa on an international stage at Bard College, New York. This prestigious engagement marks a significant milestone in her career as she prepares to deliver two contemporary solo cello concerts featuring world premiere performances of works by both Austrian and South African composers.
The concerts, scheduled to take place during October 2024 in Vienna and Salzburg – celebrated for their rich musical heritage and vibrant contemporary music scenes – promise to be a unique cultural exchange. Prof Van der Westhuizen’s performances will showcase her expertise in contemporary solo violoncello music, bringing together the innovative compositions of Austrian and South African artists in a programme that highlights the dynamic interplay between these distinct musical traditions.
The project, which was approved by the UFS Research Committee, underscores the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration in contemporary music. By presenting world premieres, Prof Van der Westhuizen not only introduces new SA solo compositions to global audiences, but also contributes to the continuous evolution of the violoncello repertoire. Her programme is anticipated to be a profound exploration of the unique musical languages and stylistic nuances inherent in both Austrian and South African compositions.
Prof Van der Westhuizen’s contribution to this international creative output extends beyond her performances. She has been invited to give lecture presentations at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she will delve into the works featured in her concerts. These presentations will offer insights into the compositional processes and cultural contexts that shape the contemporary music landscape in Austria and South Africa.
This project is more than a personal achievement for Prof Van der Westhuizen; it is a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and unite diverse cultures. By engaging in this cultural exchange, she aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary music, paving the way for future collaborations between Austrian and South African musicians.
The UFS community is proud to support Prof Van der Westhuizen as she embarks on this extraordinary journey, which not only enhances her artistic growth but also strengthens the university’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange through the universal language of music.
Stay tuned for more updates on Prof Van der Westhuizen upcoming performances and lectures as she continues to make her mark on the international stage.
UFS School of Nursing opens new frontiers at 40
2009-11-16
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The opening of the virtual facility of the School of Nursing at the University of the Free State (UFS) and a gala dinner to celebrate the School’s 40th year of existence took place on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein this week. At the opening were, among others, from the left: Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS; Dr Oluseyi Oyedele and Ms Viona Munjeri, both from The Atlantic Philanthropies; and Prof. Anita van der Merwe, Head of the School of Nursing at the UFS.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar |
All eyes in the nursing profession in South Africa were turned to the University of the Free State (UFS) when the School of Nursing opened a state-of-the-art virtual health training and learning facility and celebrated its 40th year of existence with a gala dinner on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein this week.
The lustrous events were attended by dignitaries from all spheres of the health-care fraternity in South Africa.
The new virtual facility, The Space, is made possible by a grant of R16 million from The Atlantic Philanthropies and R1 million from the UFS. The Atlantic Philanthropies organisation is an international philanthropic organisation that is going to inject R70 million into nursing in South African over the next four years. The initiative will enhance nursing education and step up the quality of health-care delivery in South Africa. Four major grants were made to universities in South Africa, of which the UFS is one.
With the facility at the UFS School of Nursing, nursing education is propelled into the future. Prof. Anita van der Merwe, Head of the School of Nursing, says, “The virtual learning facility is a very new way of thinking and teaching. At the moment, theory and practice are separated, as theory is often taught in the mornings, followed by practical settings later in the day. Learner nurses then also go to clinical facilities for their practicals where the quality of care is declining and human resources are a problem.
“We believe that with new technologies such as e-learning and high-tech computer-mediated equipment we can use the ‘virtual world’ to bridge the theory-practice gap in the same location.”
Prof. Van der Merwe says the project is essentially about transformation: taking a stand against stagnation in nursing education and practice and daring to be different.
In the new virtual facility nurses will have the best of three worlds – the expertise of the facilitator/educator, simulation technology, and a vast selection of on-line and off-line software, exposing them to blogs, broadcasting and enhancing computer literacy. This will attract both the new “millennial” generation, which tends to be technologically competent, as well as the older learner because of the unthreatening learning environment.
The core space will accommodate 40 to 60 students and is designed to encourage informal, collaborative learning and practice simultaneously. It will have a demarcated area for “patients” (such as advanced adult and baby patient simulators) and a “clinic space” allowing for role play.
At the gala dinner, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS commended nurses in South Africa for their caring role, but also expressed his concern that South African has lost its deep sense of care. South Africa is at a critical point and the country can be changed if a deep sense of care can be embedded again.
About forty nursing educators from all over South Africa attended an exploratory workshop in the facility today and the last meeting of the Forum of University Deans in South Africa (FUNDISA) also coincided with the festivities at the School of Nursing.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
13 November 2009