Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
31 January 2024
|
Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
|
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.”
UFS did well at the KKNK
2007-04-13
The Sanlam prizes for Afrikaans Theatre (SPAT) for new stage productions were recently awarded at the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn. Lewensreg, a stage production of the University of the Free State (UFS), and one of the four finalists, received R100 000 for the best stage production for the second time since the inception of the KKNK. The UFS received this prize in 2005 as well. Mr Jan van Tonder, well-known novelist and writer of radio dramas, received the R20 000 award for best playwright and Prof. Nico Luwes, Departmental Chairperson of the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, was awarded the same amount as best director. The silver award in the best actor category, worth R10 000, went to Mr JP du Plessis, an Honors student in Drama at the UFS, for his role in Lewensreg. Ms Lancea Crafford, a student from the University of Stellenbosch (US), received the golden award for best actor for her role in the university’s production Die Maket.
During the award ceremony are, from the left: Ms Martie de Lange (Project Manager on behalf of Sanlam), Messrs Du Plessis, Rudie van Rensburg (Head: Sponsorships and Promotions at Sanlam) and Van Tonder; front: Ms Crafford and Prof. Luwes.