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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.”
"Growing Vegetables"-video to help communities
2005-11-28
The Centre for Agricultural Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) handed a copy of a video on how to start a vegetable garden, Growing Vegetables, to Mr Casca Mokitlane, MEC for agriculture in the Free State. The video was made by the centre and First National Bank (FNB) and demonstrates step by step how to plan a vegetable garden, how to lay it out and how to sell the vegetables. Copies of the video will be distributed to poor schools and other people/organisations in the Free State who are involved in community development.
During the launch of the video and accompanying brochure at the centre of the Mangaung University of the Free State Community Partnership Project (MUCPP) special recognition was given to Mrs Dora du Plessis (from the UFS Centre for Agricultural Management and coordinator of the project) for the more than 2000 hours of overtime she put into the making of the video. From the left are Mr Sieg Maier (Provincial Manager of FNB), Mrs du Plessis and Dr Wimpie Nell (Director of the UFS Centre for Agricultural Management). Photo: Leonie Bolleurs