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31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher
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.”

News Archive

Kesa, UFS cross-country teams shine at USSA
2016-10-24

Description: ’Manapo UFS cross-country    Tags: UFS cross-country

The Kovsies 8 km women’s team
was crowned as champions at
the USSA cross-country meeting
in Richards Bay. From the left are
Marne Mentz, Lizandre Mulder,
and Kesa Molotsane.
Photo: Sarina Cronje

The University of the Free State (UFS) not only boasts a South African women’s cross-country champion, one of its women’s teams is also the best university team in the country.
The Kovsies 8 km women’s team was crowned the winners at the University Sports SA cross-country event in Richards Bay, while the 10 km men’s team finished second.

Kovsies men take second place

The women’s team consisted of Kesa Molotsane, Marne Mentz, and Lizandre Mulder. They respectively came in first, third and fifth at the USSA meeting held at the University of Zululand on 30 September and 1 October 2016. In the women’s competition, the times of the first three competitors are used to determine the team placements.

The UFS 4 km women’s team finished in 5th place.

The successful UFS 10 km men’s team consisted of four members from the Qwaqwa Campus – Lesedi Radebe (4th), Lebohang Miya (8th), Moorosi Semase (10th), and Lindobuhle Miya (11th). In the men’s competition, the times of the first four men in each team are taken into account.

The Kovsies 4 km men’s team finished sixth.

Molotsane’s dream year continues

Molotsane, assistant officer at KovsieSport, is experiencing a dream year. On 10 September 2016 she was crowned as national cross-country champion over 10 km when she represented the Free State in George. Mentz was third in George over 4 km.

Molotsane improved her own record in the 3 000 m at the Clover athletics meeting in Bloemfontein on 15 October 2016. Her time of 09:51.03 was much better than her previous record time of 10:03.97.

In the USSA road relay in Richards Bay on 1 October 2016, the Kovsies women’s team finished third in the 3 x 2 km relay. The men came fifth in the 4 x 4 km relay.

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