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13 December 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Charl Devenish
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.
UFS appoints director for Kovsiesport
2005-02-03
The Executive Management of the University of the Free State ’s (UFS) has approved the appointment of Mr James Letuka as Director of KovsieSport. Mr Letuka has been acting in this position since the long leave and retirement of Mr Ewie Cronjé last year.
Mr Letuka joined the UFS in 1997 as a researcher at the Unit for Research into Higher Education (URHE) and was promoted to manager in the office of the Vice-rector: Student Services in 2001. He was seconded to KovsieSport in 2003.
“I am delighted with the appointment and accept the challenges linked to this position and commit myself to the advancement of sport at the UFS. I aim to broaden the participation of the UFS in sport at a competitive level and would also like to broaden the access to sport for students who would like to be involved in sport for recreational purposes,” says Mr Letuka.
According to Mr Letuka sport is a suitable vehicle that can bring students of different backgrounds together and it can be used to normalise and enhance relations on campus. “I would also like to help the Vista and Qwaqwa campuses to fall within the sporting culture of the UFS,” says Mr Letuka.
Mr Letuka is Vice-president of the South African Tennis Association (SATA) and also represents SATA on the South African Olympic Committee.
Media release Issued by: Lacea Loader Media Representative Tel: (051) 401-2584 Cell: 083 645 2454 E-mail:
loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za 3 February 2005