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13 December 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Charl Devenish
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Rifa Tshivhase
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Rifa Tshivhase, Head of the Department of Surgery at 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein, addressed graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State on 10 December 2024.

Momentous and joyous – these are some of the words used to describe the December 2024 graduations at the University of the Free State (UFS). In celebration of the academic achievements of its students, the UFS hosted graduation ceremonies at the Callie Human Centre on its Bloemfontein Campus from 9 to 10 December 2024.

Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, encouraged the graduates to always acknowledge and recognise the significance of this achievement as they transition from being UFS students to being UFS graduates.

Undergraduate and postgraduate achievements

At least 2000 undergraduate qualifications and postgraduate qualifications were conferred. As such, there were some standout academic achievements across the sessions. For instance, Itumeleng Pooe received his Advanced Diploma in Theology cum laude, making him the only graduate in the Faculty of Theology and Religion to receive his qualification with distinction during these graduations. In addition, Dr Bobuin Jr Valey Gemandze Oben – at just 28 years old – was the youngest PhD graduate from the Faculty of Law at the graduation ceremony, which took place on the morning of 9 December 2024.

Conferring Honorary Doctorates

Some highlights from these graduations were the recipients of honorary doctorates, as well as the keynote speakers. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the UFS conferred an honorary degree on Prof Murray Leibbrandt, Research Chair in Poverty and Inequality Research in the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). In addition, the Faculty of The Humanities at the UFS conferred an honorary degree on HE Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security.

On the final day of the graduations, graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS were addressed by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Rifa Tshivhase, Head of the Department of Surgery at 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein. In her address, Lieutenant Colonel Dr Tshivhase encouraged and challenged the graduates to actively seek out good in the world.

As the December 2024 graduations concluded, several of the graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences indicated that the most memorable moments in the session were the cheers and applause they received as they walked across the stage.

News Archive

Autumn graduation a huge success
2012-04-04

 

Proud academics celebrate their child's achievement.
Salomé Naudé received her B.Med.Sc-degree. Her parents are Prof. Jacobus Naudé and Prof. Cynthia Miller-Naudé. (Senior Professors from the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
2 April 2012


The University of the Free State (UFS) hosted its autumn graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus last week where the most diplomas, certificates and degrees were awarded at eight different ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre.
A total of 629 diplomas and certificates and 2856 degrees were awarded from Tuesday 27 March 2012 to Friday 30 March 2012.

“Use your degree to improve the lives of people. Do justice,” Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, encouraged the graduates.

“People know it as a university that chooses restoration over revenge and forgiveness over vengeance.”
Mr. Roland Rudd, a Kovsie alumnus, told students that their blood, sweat and tears had paid off.

Mr. Rudd is a former education student who recently was named the Best Secondary Teacher in the Western Cape.
A highlight of the autumn graduation was when Natalie Jordaan received a standing ovation during the ceremony for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. She is the first Deaf student in the history of the university to receive her degree. Natalie’s first language is Sign Language.
Marina Viljoen, a recipient of one of the university’s 12 Dean’s Medals, also received nine awards at the Faculty of Law’s prize giving ceremony. She was awarded the degree LL.B. (summa cum laude).
Johané Nienkemper (B.Sc. Hons.) received the Senate’s Medal and Prize as the best honours student at the UFS, as well as the Dean’s Medal as the best honours student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Potella Sibongile, a Xhosa imbongi (praise singer) and UFS student received his degree in B.Com.Financial Administration. Potella delivered a praise poem to the graduates before they received their degrees, saying they “will now receive a new birth certificate”.

Master’s degrees and doctorates will be conferred at the Bloemfontein Campus on Thursday 14 June 2012.

The graduation ceremony of the Qwaqwa Campus will take place on 12 May 2012. Diplomas/certificates, degrees and doctorates will be awarded during the ceremony.
 

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