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UFS prepares to celebrate Class of 2024

28 March 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied

faculty of the Humanities graduation — Congratulations to our UFS leaders of the future!

As the leaves turn and autumn settles over the Free State, a new season of celebration is upon us. Gowns are being dusted off, caps are ready to be tossed, and excitement is building as the University of the Free State (UFS) prepares to honour the Class of 2024. From 4 to 5 April 2025, the Qwaqwa Campus will host its graduation ceremonies, followed by the Bloemfontein Campus from 8 to 12 April 2025.

This year, a total of 7 994 students will walk the stage, marking a significant moment in their academic journeys. The university will host 20 graduation ceremonies across its Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, celebrating the accomplishments of graduates across all faculties. In addition to awarding degrees and diplomas, the UFS will also confer three honorary doctorates, recognising exceptional contributions in various fields.

Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it is a defining moment. It marks the end of years of late-night studying, countless assignments, and moments of self-doubt. But more importantly, it signals the beginning of something new. Armed with their degrees, the UFS graduates will soon step into the world beyond university, ready to make their mark.

At the UFS, excellence is more than a value – it is a standard. Every graduate walking across the stage embodies the university’s commitment to producing individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable, resilient, and prepared for the ever-changing demands of the world. This is at the heart of Vision 130, UFS’s roadmap to 2034, which focuses on shaping graduates who will contribute meaningfully to both local and global communities.

For the Class of 2024, the journey has been long, challenging, and rewarding. Now, as they prepare to walk the stage, one thing is certain: the future is theirs to shape.

WATCH: 2025 Graduation Livestream

Click here to see the full schedule for the 2025 April graduations.

News Archive

Shimlas shock Tuks by staying calm

2016-02-19

Prop Ox Nche was one of the substitutes who had a huge impact against Tuks in Pretoria on 15 February 2016. Nche and other Shimlas substitutes helped their team wipe out a massive deficit. Photo: Johan Roux.

He has never been involved in a match like this in his rugby career.
This is what Neil Claassen had to say about his team’s performance on 15 February 2016, when the Shimlas came up with one of the biggest fight-backs in the history of the Varsity Cup in Pretoria. According to the Shimlas Captain, his bench had a great impact, and this helped in shocking Tuks with 47-46 towards the end. This came after Tuks had been leading 43-15 in the 44th minute.

Great fighting spirit
The Shimlas' fighting spirit, and a new Varsity Cup points system in which converted tries may count up to 11 points, enabled them to wipe out this deficit.
“It was a tough match, especially after being so far behind,” Neil said.
“Coach (Hendro Scholtz) told us during half-time (when we were 15-36 behind) that we should stay calm."
“We weren't completely out of the game. We knew that if we eliminated unnecessary mistakes, we could make it.”

Impact from bench
This is the second consecutive match - the other was against Ikeys in Cape Town - where the Shimlas’ substitutes swayed the match. “The bench made a big difference,” Neil said. “We also scored an 11-point try, which helped a lot.”
The Shimlas’ fullback, Marco Mason, was named Player of the Match. He succeeded with a tricky conversion to gain victory for his team.

Injuries
The eighth man, Nardus Erasmus (knee) and flanker, Fiffy Rampeta (eye socket), sustained injuries, but should be able to play in the first home game against the Madibaz on 22 February 2016. The injured scrumhalf, Zee Mkhabela (concussion), could return for this match.
Shimlas are second on the log, with nine league points after two away matches. Maties has ten league points.

Young Guns get stuck
The University of the Free State (UFS') Young Guns got stuck 8-14 against Tuks in Pretoria on 15 February 2016.
Vishuis, the UFS's residence team, will start their onslaught in the residence league against Dagbreek in Stellenbosch on 22 February 2016.

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