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02 January 2025
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Story Edzani Nephalela
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Photo Lethabo Machabaphala
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
Research grant holder first to be graded at UFS in NRF’s Thuthuka Programme
2007-11-17
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In the picture, from the left are: Ms Gudrun Schirge (National Research Foundation), Mr Nico Benson (Directorate Research Development at the UFS), Prof Heidi Hudson (Department of Political Science at the UFS) and Dr Annelize Venter (Co-ordinator of the Thuthuka Programme at the UFS)
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe
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Research grant holder first to be graded at UFS in NRF’s Thuthuka Programme
Prof. Heidi Hudson, Departmental Chairperson at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Department of Political Science, recently received a C1 grading from the National Research Foundation (NRF).
With this grading she became the first researcher and grant holder in the Thuthuka Programme for young researchers at the UFS to be graded by the NRF.
“The Thuthuka Programme is a capacity building initiative from the NRF which prepares young researchers for grading and provides them with a good grounding for research,” said Dr Annelize Venter, researcher at the UFS Research Development Directorate and co-ordinator of the Thuthuka Programme.
According to Dr Venter, the UFS currently has 44 researchers who receive funding from the Thuthuka Programme for their postgraduate studies. The results of possible entrants to the programme in 2008 are awaited.
”The UFS also received ten researchers additional to the current 69 who have a valid evaluation status. The results of an additional 11 applications are also awaited. Some of these are first applications,” said Dr Venter.
Over and above the grant holders in the Thuthuka Programme, any researcher can apply to be evaluated by the NRF’s Evaluation Centre. The evaluation status of a researcher serves as the norm determinator and the quality of research at a university is measured according to this.
Ms Gudrun Schirge from the NRF presented a workshop today at the UFS to researchers who wanted to apply for grading and evaluation.
Researchers who wished to apply for the re-evaluation of their current evaluation status also attended the workshop.
Ms Schirge was one of the founders of the evaluation system and has been a manager at the Evaluation Centre for the past 20 years. She will be retiring this year and will be involved with the centre on a part-time basis.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
16 November 2007
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