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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.”
Rag reaches out to the community
2007-09-17
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The spirit of Ubuntu was again reflected this year in a community outreach programme of the University of the Free State's (UFS) Rag when residence students from the Main Campus in Bloemfontein recently visited various centres in Bloemfontein to distribute hampers. Almost 850 hampers were distributed to residents from Mooihawe, Ons Tuiste, Boikhuco Old Aged Home, Omega Service Centre, Nicro's Street Children Project, The Salvation Army, Pelonomi Hospital and the Heidedal Feeding Scheme. The students were thanked with song, prayer and dancing. During the visit to Pelonomi Hospital were, from the left: Flip van Niekerk (Project leader of Ubuntu 2007), Mandus Taljard (Residente committee member for Rag from Veritas Residence), Moretlo Phakoe (Residence committee member for Rag from Madelief Residence) and a staff member and patient from Pelonomi Hospital.
Photo: Supplied
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