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06 October 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Stephen Collett
IIA Launch
From left: Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities; Prof Anthea Rhoda, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic; Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Prof Millard Arnold, Member of the UFS Council; Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation; and Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the International Institute of the Arts, at the launch of the International Institute of the Arts held at the Scaena Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State (UFS) officially launched its International Institute of the Arts (IIA) on 2 October 2025 at the Scaena Theatre on its Bloemfontein Campus, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s pursuit of academic excellence, creativity, and global collaboration. 

The launch brought together university leadership, academics, artists, and art enthusiasts to celebrate a shared commitment to advancing human knowledge through creative enquiry and artistic innovation.

The launch of the institute, which falls under the portfolio of Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation Prof Vasu Reddy, is aimed at positioning the university at the intersection of creativity, scholarship, and societal impact. The IIA will serve as a collaborative space for artists, researchers, and practitioners to explore new ways of thinking, teaching, and creating – bridging the gap between the humanities, science, and technology in an increasingly digital world.

“The arts are not mere embellishments to life; they are, in fact, its very pulse,” Prof Reddy said. “The IIA is a space where the arts and humanities rise, not in defence, but in celebration of their enduring relevance.”

 

A beacon for creativity in a changing world

In her address, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper described the IIA as “a lantern illuminating paths towards responsible societal futures shaped by imagination, empathy, and human creativity.” She emphasised that in an era of artificial intelligence and automation, “our challenge as humans lies largely in our ability to dream, imagine, create, empathise, and transform vision into reality through artistic expression.”

The sentiment of creativity as a transformative force was echoed throughout the event. UFS Council member and artist Prof Millard Arnold said “creativity is that intangible force that sparks inspiration, enriches the imagination, and expands our appreciation of who we are and what we can become.” He added that the institute “will be more than just an institution – it will be a vibrant hub where imagination meets opportunity, nurturing creative minds who challenge convention and inspire change.”

Adding to this vision, Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, said the IIA represents an initiative that “significantly expands the footprint of the humanities” and aligns with the university’s Vision 130 commitment to “growing and extending its influence and impact”. He described the institute as an opportunity to bring scholars and industry experts closer together, fostering collaboration and dialogue that highlight human creativity while advancing research and teaching excellence.

The programme also celebrated artistic and intellectual excellence through a diverse line-up. Dr Ashraf Jamal, an educator, writer, journalist, and author, delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled ‘The Majesty of the Everyday: The Power of Culture in South Africa Today’, which explored the role of culture in uniting people and redefining contemporary South African identity. This was followed by compelling performances, including So Over the Rainbow, a satirical work by Zabesutu Rondo Mpiti-Spies, and Ditshomo – We Have Been Here Before, a choreopoem by Napo Masheane with Volley Nchabeleng featuring the House of Shakers. Each performance embodied the spirit of creative freedom and collaboration that the institute seeks to nurture.

 

Connecting African heritage with global innovation

Positioned in the heart of South Africa, the IIA draws inspiration from the continent’s cultural richness while engaging with global networks of creative scholarship. Prof Klopper noted that the institute “builds bridges between indigenous wisdom and modern art, between oral traditions and digital storytelling”, reaffirming the university’s commitment to combining local authenticity with global vision.

Prof Reddy emphasised that, “The IIA is not merely an institute; it is a living, breathing space for imagination, innovation, and inquiry. It is a crucible for interdisciplinary exploration – a home for scholars, artists, and visionaries who seek to challenge assumptions and reimagine futures.”

In his message, Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the IIA, described the institute as “a space where the arts in the Free State can converge, grow, and flourish.” He added that the IIA aims to amplify the university’s global footprint through artist residencies, international partnerships, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

More than a new academic entity, the International Institute of the Arts stands as a bold declaration of purpose – to champion creativity as both a form of knowledge and a force for human connection. Through its launch, the UFS affirms that, in an age shaped by technology and change, imagination remains our most powerful tool for building a just, innovative, and inspired future.

 

News Archive

Twenty years of human rights - a call for reflection on the successes and challenges
2015-02-25

Back from the left are: Advocate Mohamed Shafie Ameermia, Commissioner, South African Human Rights Commission
Advocate Lawrence Mushwana, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
 
Front from the left are: Honourable Mahube Molemela, Judge President of the Free State High court and Acting judge of the Constitutional Court of South
Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector External Relations, University of the Free State
Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of the Free State

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Faculty of Law, and the Free State Department of Education hosted a gala dinner on 19 February 2015 to celebrate the launching of the Free State Provincial Division of the SAHRC, reaffirming their collaborative partnership, and confirming the commitment of the Free State Department of Education to community engagement, constitutional rights awareness, and youth advocacy.

The number of human rights abuses reported to the Human Rights Commission in recent years points to the complex nature of the challenges faced by South African communities. What is most disturbing is that the overwhelming majority of these offences are perpetrated by the youth, said Adv Lawrence Moshwana, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission.  “The Human Rights Commission is in need of support from government in order to be able to reach all provinces of South Africa”. The expansion of the commission’s services in the Free State and its partnership with the Provincial Department of Education is a great step towards protecting the rights of the most vulnerable communities.

 

Twenty years of human rights (read the full story)

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