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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

Free State Arts Festival and the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French (UFS) launches first crossword tournament in SA

2016-06-14

History will be made at the Free State Arts Festival, which will this year be held in Bloemfontein from 11 to 16 July. For the first time ever in South Africa, a Crossword Tournament will be presented for the public, where Afrikaans word and language lovers can test their knowledge and speed against other competitors.

With the help of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, as well as Xword, the RSG Crossword Tournament will be presented on the university’s campus. In several knockout rounds on Friday 15 July, contestants will have to complete three different types of crosswords compiled by the experienced crossword team at XWord. Points will be awarded according to a formula measuring accuracy and speed. The top ten contestants will go through to a semi-final on Saturday 16 July, after which three finalists will be selected to compete against each other in the Grand Finale.

Apart from the coveted title, DIE RSG BLOKRAAIKAMPIOEN, prizes which are up for grabs include a year’s access to the news platforms of Netwerk24 for all three finalists, a variety of dictionaries from Pharos and Longman-HAT, a wide range of crossword books published by LAPA, and many more.

Interested persons can find more information about the RSG Crossword Tournament at www.xword.co.za. Links are also provided to free crosswords which can be printed to practice ahead of the tournament. Interested people are requested to send their names, cellphone numbers, and Email addresses to Albe Grobbelaar at XWord in advance in order to facilitate the planning for the expected number of participants. The address is albegrobbelaar@gmail.com

The cost for participants is R50, which is payable on the day of the elimination rounds at the venue on campus, South Block 1. The entrance fee includes a copy of XWord’s popular book, AfriBlokkies Blokkiesraaisels.

(Further inquiries: Albe Grobbelaar – 082 447 1900)

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