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The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State, Prof Francis Petersen, is pleased to invite you to the launch of the Artists in Residency Programme. This event marks the exciting start of a new initiative at the university.
We are honored to have Mike van Graan, a distinguished independent artist and playwright, as our inaugural artist and playwright in residence. Van Graan boasts an impressive career, having authored 36 plays and contributing significantly to the cultural landscape. His expertise extends beyond playwriting, encompassing cultural policy, artist network development (both locally and across Africa), and advocacy work. Notably, he held leadership positions within esteemed organisations such as Arterial Network, the African Arts Institute, and the STAND Foundation. Van Graan's dedication to cultural activism and artistic creation is widely recognised.
Please join us for this momentous occasion:
Date: Thursday 27 June 2024
Time: 15:00-17:00 (followed by a cocktail reception)
Venue: Scaena Theatre, UFS Bloemfontein Campus
For further information, contact Alicia Pienaar at pienaaran1@ufs.ac.za.
Programme highlights include:
- Staged Reading: An excerpt from Return of the Ancestors, a play that pays homage to the satirical South African political play, Woza Albert, explores themes of democracy and sacrifice through the return of figures such as Steve Biko and Neil Aggett.
- Closed Premiere: The Good White, set against the backdrop of the 2015/16 student protests in South Africa, delves into contemporary issues such as race, social justice, and the complexities of human relationships.
Soetdoring, Armentum crowned 2016 serenade champions
2016-08-22

Armentum were crowned as this year’s winners for
the male residences. The ladies from Soetdoring
walked away with the winner’s title for the female
residences.
Photo: Johan Roux
“We made history this year! This is the first time that Armentum has ever won the Serenade competition”. These were the words from Danie Serfontein, RC Culture from Armentum, after being crowned as this year’s Serenade Singoff champions for the male residences at the University of the Free State.
Soetdoring knocked out the competition from the other female residences to take home the crown. “It’s been one year of planning and almost five months of practice. The competition was very tough, but the girls really wanted to win this year,” said Elmarie Spangenberg, Soetdoring RC Culture.
This year’s Kovsie Serenade Singoff competition, one of the highlights on the Bloemfontein calendar, was characterised by fierce competition, top-class entertainment, and loads of singing talent. Spectators could follow the action from two venues on the Bloemfontein Campus, with participants performing at the Odeion and the Kovsie Church. Following passionate performances during rotations on 10 and 11 August 2016, the winners were crowned on Saturday 13 August 2016.
This year, there were five male residences and seven female residences competing for the chance to be crowned the Serenade Singoff champions for 2016.
The top three spots for the female residences:
• Soetdoring (1st)
• Marjolein (2nd)
• Kagiso (3rd)
The top three spots for the men’s residences:
• Armentum (1st)
• Veritas (2nd)
• Legatum (3rd)