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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.
Rugby players still a Kovsie pride
2015-06-23
Niel Marais, Elandré Huggett, Gerhard Olivier and Niell Jordaan.
Photo: Mlungisi Louw (Netwerk24)
Glory after glory, Kovsie rugby players seem to be making waves on- and off-campus in the rugby world. Four players, who formed part of this year’s formidable Shimlas squad, wore their Cheetahs jerseys in their debut cap for the Free State team in this year’s Super Rugby tournament. Niel Marais, Niell Jordaan, Elandré Huggett, and Gerhard Olivier were hand-picked to join the squad by the same man who lead Shimlas on their unbeaten streak, Franco Smith. Smith was recently announced as the Cheetahs’ new coach.
In their debut game (6 June 2015) against the Sydney-based Waratahs, Marais, Jordaan, Huggett, and Olivier had the privilege of playing alongside Tienie Burger and Henco Venter, who are also Shimlas teammates. Burger and Venter are not new to the team. Burger has been with the team since 2014 and Venter since 2013.
The young men appeared again in the game against the Blue Bulls in the final round of Super Rugby on 13 June 2015. Marais and Jordaan were part of the starting line, and were joined by Venter. It was unfortunate that the home-ground advantage did not work in the favour of the Bulls, as the team strode away with their first victory for the tournament, leaving Smith a very blissful coach.
We congratulate Tienie Burger on signing a professional contract with the Cheetahs.