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02 January 2025 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Lethabo Machabaphala
Prof Allan Boesak
From the left are, Prof John Klaasen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion; Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the UFS; Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS; Prof Allan Boesak; Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel at Stellenbosch University; and Dr Eugene Fortein, Senior Lecturer: Historical and Constructive Theology at Prof Boesak’s book launch.

In a world increasingly defined by the stark contrasts of power and vulnerability, the concept of democracy often reveals itself as a double-edged sword. For the children of struggle – those who have grown up amid the chaos of inequality and conflict – democracy can feel like a distant promise, an ideal often outmanned by the realities they face. The deception of hope lingers in the air as aspirations clash with systemic barriers, leaving many to navigate a landscape where a harsh daily existence obscures the principles of freedom and justice. This exploration seeks to uncover the intricate dynamics between hope and disillusionment, shedding light on the lived experiences of those who yearn for a brighter future yet grapple with the weight of unfulfilled promises.

This was the essence of the public lecture titled Outmanned by Democracy: Children of Struggle, Deception, and Hope, presented by Prof Allan Boesak, a theologian and political activist, on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Prof Boesak confronted the continuous socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa and other nations, including racism, narrow ethnic nationalism, and the revival of tribalism. He emphasised the role of churches in tackling these issues. “The responsibility of churches is to articulate what politicians are often afraid to say,” he stated. “Put your ideologies into practice and leverage your power as ministers of the Word to shape the future and reclaim the dignity of your people. This is where unity transcends colour and stature. Consider the various roles that churches could play in reconciling communities, as seen in the Gaza crisis.”

During his visit to the UFS Faculty of Theology and Religion, Prof Boesak also launched a four-volume set titled The Fire, The River and the Scorched Earth: Fifty Years of Black Theology Through the Lens of Allan Boesak. The first three volumes include his lectures and responses from various theologians, while the fourth contains his sermons. This body of work aims to document, critique, and celebrate the contributions of black theology, highlighting its role in the struggle for justice and liberation and underscoring Prof Boesak’s unwavering commitment to freedom, liberation, and democracy.

In a time when hope and disillusionment coexist, Prof Boesak’s insights remind us of the transformative power of faith and activism in the continuing fight for a more equitable world

News Archive

UFS academic discusses Dutch, Afrikaans and African languages
2006-05-22

During the colloquium presented in Belgium by the Province Antwerp were from the left Prof Pol Cuvelier (University of Antwerp), Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management at the UFS), Mr Ludo Helsen (Permanent Deputy: Province of Antwerp) and Mr Jean-Pierre Rondas (Flemish radio journalist).

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UFS academic discusses Dutch, Afrikaans and African languages at international conference

Prof Theo du Plessis, Director of the Unit for Language Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), was the main speaker at a colloquium titled “Routes:  Where to now? - Een traject van het Nederlands naar het Afrikaans en de Afrikatalen”, which was recently presented by the Province Antwerp in Belgium.

 The aim of the colloquium was to discuss the future cooperation in the field of language between the Province Antwerp and South Africa. 

 The Province Antwerp is already involved with projects in South Africa.  One of these projects is the Multilingual Information Development Programme (MIDP), a partnership project between the UFS and the Free State Province that is mainly funded by the Province Antwerp. 

 The project has been running since 1999 and was recently in the news with the presentation of a symposium on multilingualism and exclusion on the Main Campus of the UFS.  It is hoped that the Routes colloquium will indicate new stages on which can be added to the already successful cooperation in the area of language.

 Prof Du Plessis’s presentation titled “Nederlands, Afrikaans en die Afrikatale – kan samewerking slaag? Die geval MIDP in die Vrystaat”, investigated the successes that have been made with the MIDP.  He discussed two possible approaches to cooperation in the areas of language, that of a sentimentalistic  approach against an instrumentalistic approach. 

Cooperation in the first approach makes language the aim.  In the second approach language is used as a means to a greater aim.  According to Prof du Plessis the first approach is driven by a romantisised idea about the relation between the Flemish and Afrikaans speaking people, which may unfortunately polarise the position of Afrikaans in South Africa even further.

 He argues that, given the time that we are in, the second approach will deliver more constructive results as language can among others be used for to further  democracy in South Africa.   This can happen by cooperation in the institutionalising of multilingualism in our society.  The more languages are used in education, law and government administration, the more we can be assured a successful democracy.

 The Routes colloquium was facilitated by the well-known Flemish radio journalist, Jean-Pierre Rondas. About twenty South African and Flemish language specialists took part in the colloquium.  Dr Fritz Kok, outgoing chief executive officer of the ATKV took part in the opening ceremony and Dr Neville Alexander from the University of Cape Town and well-known activist for multilingualism in South Africa was also one of the main speakers.

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