Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Ibrahim Mahama engages with future artists during UFS visit

14 May 2024 | Story ANTHONY MTHEMBU | Photo Supplied

Ghanaian contemporary artist, Ibrahim Mahama, visited the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) to share insights with staff and students during his stay in the country.

Dr Adelheid Von Maltitz, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at the UFS, highlighted the significance of Mahama’s visit which took place from 21 to 28 March 2024, marking the first instance of such interaction between a Fine Arts department in South Africa and Mahama. She remarked, “It is truly astounding that a person of his calibre dedicated time to focus on our department, and I believe this has catalysed a positive shift within our department.”

Mahama’s impactful presence at UFS

Dr Von Maltitz emphasised that Mahama’s visit aimed to offer staff and students a glimpse into his artistic process and mindset. During his time at the UFS, Mahama, who was virtually overseeing his latest recent large-scale artwork titled Purple Hibiscus, which involved wrapping the Barbican Centre in London, engaged extensively with staff and students from the department about their research. He shared insights into his creative journey, presented select works, and conducted critique sessions with fourth year and postgraduate students, among other activities. Dr Von Maltitz believes this interaction, particularly with students, has significantly bolstered their confidence as aspiring artists, preparing them for professional endeavours.

Broader implications and future prospects

Mahama’s visit not only energised the department’s academic environment but also holds broader implications. Dr Von Maltitz asserted that it will solidify the department’s identity nationally and create avenues for students to pursue residencies in countries like Ghana. Therefore, maintaining a fruitful relationship with Mahama remains a priority for the department.

Reflecting on the visit Dr Von Maltitz concluded, ‘’the key takeaway, especially for the students, was witnessing the potential of their works within the broader South African and international contexts. “

News Archive

Library opens new horizons for Bloemfontein-Oos School

2012-11-27

Storyteller Gcina Mhlophe is hugging a learner at the Bloemfontein-Oos Intermediary School.
Photo: Kaleidoscope Photography
27 November 2012

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr Seuss says that in his book I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

It is hoped that this will also be the experience of learners at the Bloemfontein-Oos Intermediary School where a library has been stocked and unveiled with our assistance. Bloemfontein-Oos is one of the schools that the UFS renovated in partnership with the Free State Department of Education.

The learners also had the rare opportunity to listen to a doyenne of South African storytellers Gcina Mhlophe. She is one of the best storytellers, writers, publishers, directors and international poet.

Tessa Ndlovo, coordinator of the UFS Schools Partnership Programme, said she thought it was important for the school to have a library in order to cultivate a culture of reading. She asked publishers and libraries to send books and in the process, more than 2 000 books were donated by the UFS-Sasol Library, staff and students. New books were sent by publishing houses.

The office of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, sponsored the renovation of the library by donating shelves.

Bloemfontein-Oos became the first school in the UFS’s Extreme Makeover intervention. Attention has been given to fencing, electrification, renovation and the bathrooms. Three truckloads of furniture were donated and more will follow in future. The Calculator Project (Project of Peace) was introduced to the school by students from the United States of America.

The library is part of the Culture of Reading Project.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept