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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

A & M Foundation to empower youth

2016-10-25

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

Margo Fargo and Andricia Hinckemann,
the co-founders of the A & M Foundation.
Photo: Supplied

“Knowing that we are changing the lives of generations to come is motivation enough for me to wake up every day.”

These are the words of Andricia Hinckemann and Margo Fargo, the co-founders of the A & M Foundation. The foundation aims to empower young learners by providing greater platforms for social growth and development, allowing learners to be agents of change.

Going beyond textbook scopes

Andricia, a finalist of Miss Commonwealth 2016, is currently doing her Masters in Labour Law at the University of the Free State (UFS). Fargo is doing her Honours in BSc Consumer Science at the UFS. She is also the first princess for Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2016 and a brand ambassador for Kalos Collections.

Margo says knowing it is no longer just about herself is more than enough to keep her going. “Be eager to learn beyond the scope of your textbooks and never limit yourself to your field of study,” she says.

Motivation to go the extra mile

The foundation specifically focuses on high school pupils, and helps build confidence among young adults in order that they become active social agents. “It’s about finding an identity irrespective of the circumstances you are in and developing townships to unlearn bad habits such as drug and alcohol abuse that have been instilled in these communities,” says Andricia.

Their main goal is to build something that is sustainable. “We want to go international and fund a group of high school pupils through tertiary education at any institution in the world.”

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