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Recognising the achievements of Qwaqwa Campus' Assistant Deans

27 January 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Thabang Mokoena

Assistant Deans Qwaqwa — Dr Calvin Mudzingiri, Prof Cias Tsotetsi & Prof Jared McDonald.

In a remarkable feat of academic excellence, the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrates a series of significant achievements by its esteemed academics. These accomplishments highlight the exceptional talent and dedication within the campus community.

Dr Calvin Mudzingiri, Assistant Dean: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has achieved a significant milestone with the attainment of a C2 NRF rating. This prestigious recognition acknowledges his outstanding research contributions and solidifies his position as a leading scholar in his field. Dr Mudzingiri is also highly regarded for his teaching and mentoring skills. He is known for his engaging lectures, his ability to connect with students, and his dedication to their academic success.

Prof Aliza le Roux's groundbreaking achievement

Prof Le Roux, Assistant Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as a full professor on the Qwaqwa Campus. Prof Le Roux is also a respected leader and mentor, known for her guidance and support of students and colleagues. This groundbreaking achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring female academics and further strengthens the university's commitment to gender equality. Prof Le Roux is a highly accomplished researcher with a strong track record of publications in her field.

From Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education to Vice-Principal

Prof Cias Tsotetsi's promotion from Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education to Vice-Principal is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to the university's mission. His expertise and guidance will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Qwaqwa Campus. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having served as Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education.

Double success for Prof McDonald

Prof Jared McDonald, Assistant Dean: The Humanities, has also achieved a remarkable double success. He was promoted to a higher academic rank – from doctor to associate professor – while simultaneously securing a C2 NRF rating. This accomplishment highlights his commitment to both teaching and research excellence.

These achievements by the assistant deans on the Qwaqwa Campus exemplify the high calibre of academics within the institution. Their dedication to research, teaching, and leadership serves as an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. The Qwaqwa Campus is proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of these exceptional individuals.

In acknowledgment of exceptional academic prowess, the Campus Principal, Prof Prince Ngobeni, remarked, “In academia, it is not every day that we witness a blend of exceptional leadership, unyielding commitment, and a deep-rooted passion for education. I extend my sincere gratitude to our esteemed assistant deans for their unwavering commitment. The calibre of our faculties with their inquisitive minds, relentless pursuit of knowledge, and dedication to nurturing future researchers, truly defines the excellence of our university. Your contributions to both the university and the advancement of knowledge are deeply valued. Thank you for your invaluable effort,” concluded Prof Ngobeni.

News Archive

Moeletsi Mbeki discusses South Africa’s political economy

2012-08-17

At the guest lecture was, from the left: Johann Rossouw, lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Mr. Moeletsi Mbeki, and Prof. Pieter Duvenage, Head of the Department of Philosophy.
Photo: Johan Roux
17 August 2012

South Africa’s ongoing problems do not have their origin in the apartheid dispensation but in the British colonial period. This is according to the well known businessman and political analyst, Mr Moeletsi Mbeki, who was speaking during a guest lecture at the University of the Free State.

Mr Mbeki said the high unemployment rate among Blacks arose from the destruction of the Black small farming class in the last third of the 19th century to provide cheap labour to the developing mining sector. He said the notorious Land Act of 1913 was not the root of Black people’s loss of land but merely the legal formalisation thereof. Mr Mbeki emphasised that as long as it was argued that South Africa’s problems arose during the apartheid dispensation, problems would remain unsolved.

Regarding South Africa’s future, Mr Mbeki argued that three issues in particular were important – South Africa’s industrialisation, which ground to a halt in the 1970s, should be revived; the large scale training of industrialists with special emphasis on mathematics, science and the broader education system; and post-nationalist politics, of which parties such as Zimbabwe’s MDC, Zambia’s MMF and Mauritius’s MMM were outstanding examples.

The guest lecture was presented by the Department of Philosophy. More than 200 people attended the lecture and participated enthusiastically in the question and answer session. Afterwards, Mr Mbeki said he was impressed with the high level of the questions asked by students, which he said gave him hope for South Africa’s future.

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