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31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher
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.”

News Archive

UFS student named as SA Women's Hockey Player
2010-11-08

 Lesley-Ann George.

Lesley-Ann George, student and staff member in die Office: Corporative Liaison, Institutional Advancement and Sport at the University of the Free State (UFS), was named by SA Hockey as die South African women’s hockey player of the year. This is the highest recognition that a woman’s hockey player can receive in South Africa.

Lesley-Ann, the Vice-Captain of the Protea team, has this year already represented South Africa in, amongst others, the World Cup Tournament in Argentina en the Commonwealth Games in New-Delhi, India. At the latter meeting the Protea team came fourth.

We are absolutely delighted about Lesley-Ann’s se performance,” said Mr Frans van der Watt from KovsieSport at the UFS. He was also happy that the UFS could play a part in Lesley-Ann’s entry into international hockey. Lesley-Ann is the captain of the UFS women’s hockey team.

“It is an incredible privilege. Many of the other players also deserve this honour, because they have a good season behind them,” said Lesley-Ann.

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