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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.
Meet our Council: Likeleli Mphutlane
2016-08-03
Likeleli Mphutlane
The University of the Free State (UFS) has long been considered a leader in diversity. Its diverse character is nowhere more apparent than on the UFS Council, where different voices with differing viewpoints and diverse cultural backgrounds strive to lead the institution to greater heights.
One such voice belongs to Likeleli Mphutlane, who has been serving on the UFS Council since 2015. This dynamic young woman was born in Bethlehem, raised in Lesotho, and matriculated at Louw Wepener High School as a Matriculant of the Year Top 14 finalist.
Studies at the UFS
She completed a BAcc degree at the UFS, while serving as vice-primaria of Welwitschia Residence, after which she obtained a BAcc Honours degree from the University of South Africa.
She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014. After gaining work experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers and SAB, she works now as an independent consultant in her own company, Inspire Innovation Business Consultants.
Likeleli serves on the audit and risk committee and the financial committee of the Council.
The difference she makes
"I believe that my role on the Council is to share my expertise and skills to ensure that the university upholds the highest standards of governance, and achieves its objectives of remaining financially sustainable. I also think that, as a black female alumnus, I bring a diverse viewpoint to the Council," she says.
While her responsibilities as co-founder of the Lesotho Young Professionals Forum, and chairperson of the Free State branch of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants South Africa, keep her busy, she enjoys physical activity, and travelling with her husband, Stephen Monyamane.