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13 June 2024 | Story Jacky Tshokwe | Photo Supplied
The Humanities Awards 2024
From left: Prof Danré Strydom, Prof Kobus Marais, Dr Alta Grobbelaar and Dr Alison Stander were among the award recipients.

On the evening of 4 June 2024, the prestigious Blue Gem Restaurant hosted an event that was a highlight on the academic calendar of the University of the Free State (UFS), with the keynote speaker Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities. The Faculty of The Humanities Awards are designed to honour and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the faculty members in the fields of teaching and learning, curriculum development, research, and the arts. These awards are not merely accolades, but symbols of our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within our academic community.

The Faculty of The Humanities Awards are integral to recognising the relentless dedication and exceptional contributions of our academics. These awards aim to honour those who consistently go above and beyond in their professional duties, significantly impacting both their students and society at large. The awards embody the UFS’ Vision 130, emphasising a student-centred and research-led approach. By celebrating these achievements, we aim to inspire continued excellence and drive forward our mission of engaged scholarship and transformative education.

Promising an evening of inspiration and recognition, the event commenced with a keynote address by Prof Mogomme Masoga, who undoubtedly set the tone with his insights on the critical role of humanities in today's academic and social landscapes.

The event began with a warm welcome reception where guests were greeted with refreshments and had the opportunity to network. Prof Mogomme Masoga delivered the opening remarks, after which the attendees enjoyed a fine dining experience at the Blue Gem Restaurant. The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, during which awards were presented to distinguished faculty members. The event concluded with the closing remarks and an additional opportunity for networking, allowing attendees to celebrate and discuss the future of humanities at the UFS.

Award Categories and Criteria

1. Teaching methods and assessment: Dr Alta Grobbelaar

This award recognised innovative and effective teaching strategies and assessment methods that enhanced student learning. Dr Alta Grobbelaar was acknowledged for her exemplary approaches that created engaging and inclusive learning environments.

2. Digitalised teaching and assessment: Dr Alison Stander

With the rapid advancement of technology, this award highlighted excellence in the integration of digital tools and platforms in education. Dr Alison Stander has set a benchmark in digital teaching, utilising cutting-edge technologies to enhance the learning experience.

3. Curriculum development, transformation, and renewal: Prof Neo Lekgotla Laga Ramoupi

Recognising efforts in modernising and transforming curricula to meet contemporary needs, this award honoured Prof Neo Lekgotla Laga Ramoupi's work in developing programmes that were inclusive, relevant, and forward-thinking.

4. Early career research: Dr Nonki Motahane

This award celebrated promising research achievements by early-career academics. Dr Nonki Motahane has demonstrated remarkable potential and productivity in her research endeavours, contributing valuable knowledge to her field.

5. Research with international impact: Prof Kobus Marais and Prof Danré Strydom

Given to researchers whose work has garnered international recognition and significantly impacted their disciplines, this award honoured Prof Kobus Marais and Prof Danré Strydom for their ground-breaking research that transcended borders and enhanced global knowledge.

Dr Sebolao expressed her gratitude to all achievers, "Your commitment to Vision 130 and your exemplary scholarship are a testament to the transformative power of the Humanities. Congratulations on your remarkable achievements and thank you for making a positive impact on our students and society."

The Faculty of The Humanities Awards were a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication within our university. By celebrating these achievements, we not only honoured individual accomplishments, but also reinforced our collective commitment to academic excellence and societal impact. This event marked a significant milestone in our journey towards realising the UFS Vision 130 and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

News Archive

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama discuss traumas of the past and forgiveness in the present
2015-08-05

 

Judge Albie Sachs embraces Candice Mama for her courage in confronting Eugene de Kock, who killed her father.

Two generations. Two stories of triumph. Two South Africans who have displayed immense courage.

Public Dialogue on Trauma, Memory, and Representations of the Past

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama exchanged their experiences of past trauma and subsequent transformation in a public conversation. The event was co-hosted by Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela and The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in Cape Town on Thursday 30 July 2015.

The event was the first instalment in a series entitled Public Dialogue on Trauma, Memory, and Representations of the Past. The theme of the discussion was ‘Intergenerational Dialogue on Trauma and Healing’.

"The aim of these public dialogue events we are co-hosting with IJR is to place the issues of trauma and memory, and the strategies that individuals and communities use to heal, in the public sphere," Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, Senior Research Professor in Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) said.

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama in conversation

Former Constitutional Court Judge, Albie Sachs, talked about his participation in South Africa’s liberation struggle, the loss of his right arm in an assassination attempt, and meeting the man responsible – Henri van der Westhuizen. Despite years of exile and extended periods of solitary confinement, Judge Sachs maintains that “we need to acknowledge our history, not be trapped by it.” Judge Sachs also remarked, though, that “we’re seeing too much lamentation, not enough activation.” In a heartrending gesture, Judge Sachs embraced Candice Mama in a hug for her courage in confronting Eugene de Kock, who killed her father.

How poignant then, when Mama said, “I wanted to embrace the brokenness within him,” when she spoke about her meeting with De Kock. By the time I met with Eugene, I could meet him as a human being, not as a villain.” Mama believes that forgiving someone translates into an investment in the person you are forgiving and in your own sanity. She also emphasised the importance of dialogue to move our country forward: “When we share our stories with each other authentically, walls break down.”

This is a stance that Prof Gobodo-Madikizela supports strongly: “When we listen to one another, something unexpected emerges; we encounter the human in each other,” she said. “When we listen with open hearts to each other, we see and experience each other’s humanity.”

Building a bridge between research and society

Referring to the research aspect of the event, Prof Gobodo-Madikizela said that, "in establishing the series of public dialogue events, our vision is to create a bridge between scholarly research and the community at large, on the one hand, and a visual conscience of society, on the other." The UFS is collaborating with the IJR on this research project, which is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The endeavour is led by Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, who also serves as Board Member of the IJR.

 

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