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Trailblazing win: UFS wins its first-ever Andrew Murray Prize

31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP

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

Mandela Day to be celebrated by giving back to vulnerable communities

2015-07-16

Photo: Anita Venter

The office of Community Engagement at the University of the Free State will celebrate Mandela Day in a joint partnership project with the Faculty of Medicine’s Community Service Learning Committee, supporting the launch of Lesedi Multi-purpose Community Development Village.

The Mandela Day event will be hosted by Anita Venter and Sebabatso Mofama, co-founders of the Start Living Green Change Agents. On-going community projects will assist vulnerable communities in the Free State such as youth, women and children, the disabled, and the elderly. In promoting ‘green’ living, the project promotes the use of recycled old tyres, bottles, straw bricks, and adobe bricks as building materials.

The project is supported by the University of the Free State, Clean and Green Free State Campaign, and Redisa, the Government of Flanders, Belgium. Co-sponsors are KovsieFM and St Peter’s Methodist Church.

Donations are welcome for building and hardware equipment. For more information on how to participate, contact: Dikgapane Makhetha on +27(0)76 020 9423 or Anita Venter +27(0)51 401 3731

Date: 18 July 2015
Place: 129 Vlei Avenue, Roodewal Smallholdings, Airport/Maselspoort Road
Time: 09:00 - 16:00

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