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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.
Qwaqwa Campus launches new degree in Community Development
2016-11-29
Photo (from the left): Morongoe Mohaleroe
(Department of Social Development), Albert Schoeman
(Assistant Dean: Faculty of the Humanities),
Dr Elsa Crause (Campus Vice-Principal:
Academic and Research), Grey Magaiza
(Programme Head: Community Development),
Dr Margie Maistry, and Prof Darren Lortan
(both from Durban University of Technology).
From 2017, the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State will offer a new professional degree in Community Development. This was revealed during the launch that was recently held on the campus.
Speakers acknowledged the positive contribution the new degree was expected to make in the region, especially in mobilising the civil society to join hands with the government in improving the quality of life in South Africa.
“There has always been a dire need for such a degree in this part of the country,” said Morongoe Mohaleroe, the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Director in the Department of Social Development.
“Our department is working hard at both national and provincial levels to professionalise this sector, and the qualification will definitely help in that regard,” she said.
Mohaleroe also thanked the campus for supporting her department with community-based research and studies by students.
Speaking during the launch, the Campus Vice-Principal: Academic and Research, Dr Elsa Crause, said the campus was proud to be the first in the country to offer this professional qualification.
‘‘What has brought us all here today, is history in the making,’’ she said to an audience consisting of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government and civil society structures like Save the Children and World Vision.
“Our campus will be the first in South Africa to offer this type of degree and a maximum of only 35 students will be accepted,” she added.
For more details, prospective students may contact Grey Magaiza (Programme Head: Community Development) at magaizag@ufs.ac.za or +27 58 718 5419.