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31 January 2024
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Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
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Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher’s thesis, crowned with the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize, is testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence.
In a historic triumph that reverberates over four decades since its inception, the UFS has clinched the coveted
Andrew Murray Prize – now renamed the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize – for the first time. Standing shoulder to shoulder with institutions such as the University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University (SU), this achievement marks a significant milestone in the UFS’ journey.
At the heart of this accomplishment lies the profound contribution of
Dr Martin Laubscher, distinguished Senior Lecturer specialising in Practical and Missional Theology in the
Faculty of Theology and Religion. Dr Laubscher’s dedication and scholarly prowess culminated in the groundbreaking work titled
Publieke teologie as profetiese teologie? (Public theology as prophetic theology), a revised edition of his doctoral thesis, which was originally crafted at Stellenbosch University in 2020, with a focus on the eminent Karl Barth.
Dr Laubscher received the Andrew Murray Prize for Theological Books in Afrikaans for his research and insightful analysis. The journey started when he realised, under the guidance of his study leader,
Prof Dion Forster, that his script had the potential to be published in Afrikaans. Sun Media’s interest in publishing this work in Afrikaans, led to it being the first-ever published thesis in Afrikaans. Dr Laubscher recalls, “I was grateful and excited about Sun Media’s interest. The book emerged within a year, and during a celebratory launch Prof Forster suggested I submit it for the Andrew Murray Prize.”
Earlier this year, Dr Laubscher was excited to learn that he was being shortlisted for the prestigious award. Reflecting on the significant moment, he shares, “The elation I felt upon receiving the news was unparalleled. I was not only celebrating a personal triumph, but also etching my name as the first laureate from our faculty to secure this prestigious accolade.”
Kovsies excel at International Badminton tournament
2009-11-18
Wiaan Viljoen and Annari Viljoen from the University of the Free State (UFS) won the men’s and ladies double finals respectively at the recent South African International Badminton tournament that was held in Durban.
Wiaan and his team mate Dorian James (WP) defeated Ali Shahhosseini and Mohammadreza Kheradmani from Iran with 22/20, 17/21 and 21/15. Annari and Michelle Edwards (WP) defeated the Iranian pair Negin Amiripour and Nejatzadeh-Sahar Zamanian 21/16 and 21/14.
Several top players from Africa as well as Mauritius, Iran and Scotland competed in the different categories of the event. According to Ms Janine de Kock from KovsieSport at the UFS the 67 entries for the tournament was a big improvement on last year’s entries.
In the mixed doubles finals it was a South African affair with Dorian James and Michelle Edwards who defeated Wiaan Viljoen and Jade Morgan (WP) 21/11 and 21/17.