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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

King Moshoeshoe comes alive on national television

2004-11-02

Honourable Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, and his wife; King Letsie III of Lesotho and Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs at the UFS during the première of the film at the Royal Palace in Lesotho

The ground-breaking documentary film on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation, will come alive on Thursday 4 November 2004 when it is screened on SABC2 at 21:00

The film, called Moshoeshoe: The Renaissance King, forms part of a larger project by the University of the Free State (UFS) to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. It was produced by the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez and commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations.

The SABC2 screening was preceded by a première in Bloemfontein last month, and was attended by provincial political leaders.

This past weekend there was a première at the Royal Palace in Lesotho, which was attended by King Letsie III, the prime minister, the chief justice, judges, the president of the senate, cabinet ministers and directors-general.

“Through this documentary film the UFS commits itself to developing a shared appreciation of the history of this country and to the establishment of the Free State Province as a model of reconciliation and nation-building. King Moshoeshoe is also a strong common element, and binding factor, in the relationship between South Africa/the Free State, and its neighbour, Lesotho,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“Not all people in South Africa know the history of Moshoeshoe. Many Basotho – but not all – are well versed in the history of Moshoeshoe, and his name is honoured in many a street, town and township. Many white people know little of him, or have a very constrained or even biased view of his role and legacy. In Africa and the world, he is much less known than, for instance, Shaka,” said Prof Fourie.

“King Moshoeshoe did a remarkable thing in forging a new nation out of a fragmented society. He also created a remarkable spirit of reconciliation and a remarkable spirit of leadership,” said Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie we already benefit from his legacy: the people of the Free State share a tradition of moderation and reconciliation rather than one of aggression and domination. “For the UFS this is also part of real transformation – of creating a new unity amidst our diversity,” said Prof Fourie.

“We also find in the legacy of King Moshoeshoe the possibility of a “founding philosophy”, or “defining philosophy”, for the African renaissance. To develop this philosophy, we must gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, of his role, of his leadership. Therefore the UFS will encourage and support further research into the history, politics and sociology of the Moshoeshoe period, including his leadership style,” said Prof Fourie.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
2 November 2004

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