Latest News Archive

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

International multidisciplinary artists share expertise with staff and students during UFS visit

17 May 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Fine Arts Department visit 2024 — Prof Magdalena Sobon from Poland and Michael Jackson Blebo from Ghana shared their expertise with staff and students during their visit to the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State.

In a concerted effort to solidify its identity in South Africa and abroad, the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently played host to two distinguished artists: Prof Magdalena Sobon from the Wladyslaw Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, and the Ghanaian multidisciplinary artist, Michael Jackson Blebo.

Dr Adelheid Von Maltitz, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at UFS, lauded the visits, held between 19 and 29 March 2024, as an enriching learning experience for the faculty and students within the department.

The visit highlights

During their visit to UFS, Prof Sobon and Blebo actively engaged with the department’s staff and students. Prof Sobon, an acknowledged paper-making artist, conducted a comprehensive two-day workshop, imparting extensive knowledge in this craft. As a direct outcome of this workshop, the department has procured the requisite equipment and materials, enriching the students’ capabilities in this medium. Blebo on the other hand, conducted a demonstration on clay bust modelling and both artists participated in critique sessions with the fourth-year students. Dr Von Maltitz underlined the significance of Blebo’s African heritage, noting, ‘’For our students to interact with a young, accomplished artist of his calibre is of benefit to them in terms of how they may envision their art careers.’’ Of particular note were Prof Sobon’s interactions with the students, wherein she shared her own artistic practices from her student years during her lectures.

In addition to their engagements with the students, Prof Sobon and Blebo also had the opportunity to present their research to second-year sculpture students at the Richmond Land Art Project, an off-campus initiative fostering art creation centred on socio-economic and other pertinent issues.

Future collaborations

Dr Von Maltitz emphasised the importance of maintaining ties with these eminent artists for the department’s growth and global outreach. Prof Sobon’s visit has paved the way for two department members to visit the Wladyslaw Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz in the near future. ‘’These individuals will get an opportunity to learn about studio setups and network with fellow academics, creative researchers, and artists,’’ stated Dr Von Maltitz. She hailed the visit by the two artists as both stimulating and fruitful, particularly for the students.

News Archive

2015/2016 SRC candidates announced

2015-08-19

Ledimo Nthejane, Independent Electoral Commission Provincial Manager, announcing the contenders for SRC elections at the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Congratulations to the successful 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominees. We wish you all the best with your campaigning.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been appointed by the UFS to take responsibility for the operational aspects of the upcoming SRC elections on the Bloemfontein campus. Their involvement spans over the period from the nomination process up to the announcement of the election results on 3 September 2015.

Bloemfontein Campus:

Edward de Wet (President)
Lindokuhle Ntuli (President)
Mpho Khati (Vice-President)
Nigel Marchall Masalla (Vice-President)
Nicola King (First-generation students)
Brand Louw (First-generation students)
Dineo Khotso Mashile (Transformation)
Katleho Mmolayeng Letube (Transformation)
Jeanne-Mari McDonald (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Lesley-Anne Terblanche (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Luke Harrold Small (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Nomathamsanqa Nomvula Kraai (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Victor Sejane (Student Accessibility)
Sam-Maree Rooi (Student Accessibility)
Rememberance Rohula Kgabu (Student Accessibility)
Delia Moumakwe (Culture)
Mohau Moses Lesebo (Culture)
Kabelo Elijah Noosi (Sport)
Neo Gift Thebe (Sport)
Peo Morwesi Segano (Media and Marketing)
Gali Moticoe (Media and Marketing)
Mafelleng Itumeleng Matla (Student Development and Environment)
Karabo Pheko (Student Development and Environment)
Shaun Grobler (Treasurer)
Cornel Vermaak (Treasurer)
Katleho Masheane (Treasurer)
Thulani Babeli (Treasurer)
Nothando Hlophe (Secretary)
Tsietso Mafaso (Secretary)
Mihlali Matanzima (Secretary)

Qwaqwa Campus:

Tseko Masoeu (President)
Ntokozo Mbele (President)
Paseka Sikhosane (President)
Ntandoyenkosi Mndebele (President)
Zethu Mhlongo (Deputy President)
Limpho Mape (Deputy President)
Mpho Pooe (Deputy President)
Langelihle Mzobe (Deputy President)
Bannetse Mokhatla (Secretary General)
Londiwe Shezi (Secretary General)
Nondumiso Langa (Secretary General)
Palesa Selepe (Treasurer General)
Sabelo Vilakazi (Treasurer General)
Sinenhlanhla Mfeka (Treasurer General)
Solomuzi Khathi (Treasurer General)
Busisiwe Nkosi (Politics and Transformation)
Banele Mndwaweni (Politics and Transformation)
Nthabiseng Mokoena (Politics and Transformation)
Sibusiso Nyambose (Media and Publicity)
Nonkululeko Shabalala (Media and Publicity)
Khulani Mhlongo (Media and Publicity)
Bongiwe Buthelezi (Media and Publicity)
Nhlanhla Shabalala (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Thulane Dubazane (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Lindokuhle Ngubane (Student Development & Environmental Affairs)

Nominations for the Secretary and Treasurer portfolios are still open until 12:00 noon on Friday 21 August 2015.

Important dates to note:

18 August 2015 - Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus campaigning commences

27 August 2015 - Qwaqwa campaigning ends

30 August 2015 - Bloemfontein campaigning ends

28 August 2015 - Qwaqwa Election Day

31 August 2015 - Bloemfontein Election Day

1 September 2015 - Qwaqwa SR handover and establishment sitting

4 September 2015 - Bloemfontein SRC handover and establishment sitting

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