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07 March 2024 Photo Lunga Luthuli
Simphiwe Kunene and Prof Francois Strydom
Prof Francois Strydom, Senior Director at the Centre for Teaching and Learning and Simphiwe Kunene, the first African DREAM scholar and a master’s student from the Faculty of Education.

The University of the Free State (UFS) received recognition for its commitment to student success at the 2024 Achieving the Dream (ATD) conference which celebrated its 20-year anniversary. Simphiwe Kunene, an Education master's student originally from the Qwaqwa campus, was selected to represent South Africa as the first DREAM scholar from Africa as part of the conference.

The Achieving the Dream network of over 300 institutions, which is one of the largest movements in US higher education aims to transform colleges and universities so that students of colour and a lower socio-economic status are supported to earn a degree. The UFS is a leading partner in the Siyaphumelela Network, which has been working for 10 years with ATD to enhance the success of students in South Africa. Prof Francois Strydom, Senior Director at the Centre of Teaching and Learning (CTL), accepted the award on behalf of the institution.

Prof Strydom said that collaboration with the ATD and Siyaphumelela institutions has helped the UFS to develop cutting-edge approaches to “level the playing field” and support Kovsies to earn their undergraduate degrees.

The first African DREAM scholar

Kunene was selected as the first African DREAM scholar from the Siyaphumelela network. To select the DREAM scholar, each Siyaphumelela partner institution nominated one student as a preferred candidate. From the proposed candidates, the DREAM scholar was selected by the South African Institute for Distance Education (Saide) based on the following: demonstrating resilience, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to making a positive difference in universities and personal communities.

He addressed the conference of over 2 000 delegates and shared with them his hopes and dreams. Many members of the South African delegation said Simphiwe did his country proud. He had the following to say about his opportunity to be a DREAM scholar: “Being a DREAM scholar was life changing for me, exposing me to an array of opportunities I never knew were possible and available for me. It was as if, for a moment, the world had stopped to just listen to what I had to say."

The way forward

The UFS will continue its work as a partner of the Siyaphumelela network for the 2024-2026 cycle. The multi-stakeholder project team is focused on enhancing undergraduate students’ time, and to position the UFS as a thought and research leader in the area of student success as part of Vision 130.  

News Archive

Kovsies honours its sport stars
2009-10-28

 

Heinrich Brüssow and Elzet Engelbrecht were respectively named Sports Man and Sports Woman at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Sports Dinner. At this event were, from the left: Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council, Elzet Engelbrecht, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, and Heinrich Brüssow.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Heinrich Brüssow, Springbok and Cheetah rugby player and Protea netball player Elzet Engelbrecht were named Sports Man and Sports Woman of the year respectively at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The UFS honoured its sports stars during the annual Kovsie Sports Dinner that was recently held at Ilanga Estate in Bloemfontein with the theme: Striving towards excellence.

The rugby player, Lionel Cronjé and Mari-Lise Linde who was included in the training group of the SA netball team as well as in the U/21 World Cup team were named junior sport stars.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, was the guest speaker at this event. Addressing KovsieSport staff and Kovsie sports stars Prof. Jansen highlighted the benefits of sport. According to him sport is a great way to build bridges between people. “When we excel in sport we will also build the university’s image. Sport is also a wonderful way to build self confidence,” he said.

The following persons received ABSA awards in their different sporting codes:

Thandi Malindi: Athletics
Johan Cronjé: Athletics
Odie Swart: Hockey
Jaco Fourie: Hockey
Elzet Engelbrecht: Netball
Obus Pienaar: Cricket
Arné Grobbelaar: Rugby
Karin Coetzee: Tennis
Reon Henning: Tennis
Gabisile Hlumbane: Soccer
Thabiso Moloi: Soccer
Sara Shannon: Swimming an overall disabled sports star

Other awards were made to:
Mr James Letuka: Executive member of the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee.
Ms Nomsa Mahlangu: Executive Committee member of the South African Football Association.
Mr Frans van der Watt: Executive Member of the South African Hockey Association.
Mr Mickey Gordon: Convener of the national ladies hockey team for the South African Hockey Association.
Mr Braam van Wyk: Convener of the national U/21 ladies hockey team for the South African Hockey Association.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
26 October 2009
 

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