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UFS celebrates nearly 8 000 graduates and honours national icons

17 April 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi

Congratulations to our UFS leaders of the future!

The University of the Free State (UFS) has officially wrapped up its April 2025 graduation season, closing a powerful two-week chapter marked by pride, perseverance, and purpose. Across both its Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses, 7 994 graduates walked the stage, each one carrying with them a story, a struggle, and a celebration.

From Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus (4–5 April) to the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus (8–12 April), the energy was unmistakable. Applause thundered, gowns flowed, names were called with pride, and ululations filled the air. Some graduates clutched their hard-earned certificates with trembling hands. Others waved to proud families seated in the crowd. But in every moment, one thing was clear: this was not just a ceremony; it was a milestone.

This year, the UFS proudly conferred three honorary doctorates to individuals whose lives and work embody leadership, service, and scholarship:

Judge Raymond Zondo, former Chief Justice of South Africa, for his lifelong dedication to justice and transformation in the legal system;
Ms Joyce Siwani, social worker and activist, for her powerful legacy in children’s rights and community development; and
Prof Toyin Falola, world-renowned historian and scholar, for his outstanding contribution to African knowledge systems and the humanities.

Alongside these honours, 18 Dean’s Medals were awarded to the highest achievers in each faculty. At the very top stood Jocelyn Smith, who received the Senate Medal – the university’s most prestigious academic award. Smith achieved the highest weighted average across all faculties and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Data Science from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

But it was not just a celebration of titles. It was a celebration of people. Seventeen members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) also received their qualifications, proving that leadership and academic excellence go hand in hand. And, stepping out from behind lecture-hall podiums and office desks, several academic and support staff members crossed the stage, upgrading their qualifications and proving that learning never stops.

As the UFS journeys toward its future vision – Vision 130 – to be an institution of excellence, care, and impact by 2034, graduations like these serve as a reminder of the human heartbeat behind every strategy, goal, and milestone.

Now, as autumn leaves settle across the Free State, the UFS Class of 2024 walks into their future with heads high, hearts full, and stories that will continue to inspire.

Congratulations, Kovsies!

Watch as each of the honorary doctorate recipients reflects on what the recognition means to them:

WATCH: Dr Joyce Siwani

WATCH: Dr Raymond Zondo

WATCH: Prof Toyin Falola

“Today, I am receiving an honorary doctorate at a university that I never thought I would step into.”

On 9 April 2025, Joyce Siwani was honoured by the University of the Free State with an honorary doctorate in the Faculty of The Humanities, recognising her remarkable journey and contributions in the field of social work.

Watch her share in her own powerful words what this recognition means to her.

Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo reflects on receiving his honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State Faculty of Law, highlighting the power of education and the urgent need for ethical leadership in Africa.

“Education is the only thing that can really make a meaningful difference to people who are poor, to those who want to change the conditions of living of their communities.”

Watch as Prof Toyin Falola reflects on what it means to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State Faculty of Law – awarded for his remarkable contributions to African knowledge systems, global scholarship, and decolonial thought.

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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