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UFS’s Prof Johan Coetzee honoured with prestigious Fiat Lux Award

20 October 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied

John Bridger Prof Johan Coetzee Roland Rudd Fiat Lux — From left: John Bridger, Old Boys Association Central Committee Board member; Prof Johan Coetzee; and Roland Rudd, Headmaster of Saint Andrews School; at the St Andrews Speech Day awards ceremony on 16 October.

Prof Johan Coetzee, Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been named the recipient of the Fiat Lux Award – the highest honour bestowed by St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein.

The award, presented at the annual St Andrews Speech Day awards ceremony on Thursday 16 October, recognises Old Andreans (alumni of the school) who have made exceptional contributions to society through professional excellence and personal integrity.

A journey of values, excellence, and lifelong connection

Previous recipients of the Fiat Lux Award include notable figures such as former Nedcor CEO Richard Laubscher, palaeoanthropologist, Apartheid activist, and three-time Nobel Prize nominee Prof Phillip Tobias, former President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa Roger Crawford, and Carte Blanche Executive Producer George Mazarakis.

Prof Coetzee, who matriculated from St Andrew’s in 1995, describes the recognition as deeply humbling. “It is difficult to put into words what this means to me. As an Old Boy of St Andrew’s, it puts the seal of approval on the career path I chose – one that started in the corridors of that school 38 years ago,” he says.

He recalls that his school years shaped both his outlook and his work ethic. “The school taught me the importance of teamwork and resilience. It made me realise early on that life is not all rosy, and that one must maintain a balanced perspective – that is what sets St Andrew’s apart.”

For Prof Coetzee, this honour is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the close ties between the UFS and local schools of excellence. “It is extremely important for the UFS to maintain strong links with schools like St Andrew’s, which acts as a feeder for future students and athletes. It’s a win-win situation for both institutions,” he says.

He hopes that his recognition will inspire current learners at St Andrew’s to pursue their goals with perseverance. “I hope that this award awakens the drive in the current crop of pupils at Saints to realise that anything is possible – that your background or the setbacks you face do not define you. Also, and perhaps more importantly, that hard work and persistence does pay off.”

Prof Coetzee’s achievement reflects the UFS’ value of Excellence, exemplifying the university’s commitment to nurturing leaders who embody integrity, dedication, and a lifelong pursuit of learning.

News Archive

Full week of graduation ceremonies at UFS in April

2015-04-10

Autumn always sees the UFS’s first graduation ceremony of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus.

From 14 – 17 April 2015, graduates will once again be rewarded for their hard work while top speakers will address them in the Callie Human Centre. There will be a ceremony at 09:00 and at 14:30 each day on all four days of the graduation.

The programme for the 2015 April Graduation is as follows:

Tuesday 14 April 2015:

Professor Himla Soodyall will be the speaker at both ceremonies on this day. Prof Soodyall is a Medical Scientist for the South African Institute for Medical Research. She is also a Principal Medical Scientist for the National Health Laboratory Service, and a Director for the Human Genome Diversity and Disease Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand.

During the first ceremony of the day at 09:00, all diplomas/certificates and B degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded. Only Honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Wednesday 15 April 2015:

Wednesday will see Ndumiso Hadebe take the stage to address graduates at both ceremonies.

At the age of 23, Hadebe is the Founder and Managing Director of Master Frontiers Consulting, a firm that capacitates leaders and managers to achieve business goals through their people. He worked previously as a Researcher at Shanduka Black Umbrellas, a flagship enterprise and supplier development programme of the Shanduka Foundation.

He has been received numerous awards for excellence in leadership, such as the Sedibeng District Municipal Mayor’s Award for Service and Leadership. He is a Brand South Africa Ambassador and Read Educational Trust Ambassador.

All diplomas/certificates, B and Honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, except B Com degrees, will be awarded during the morning ceremony at 09:00. Later, at the 14:30 ceremony, only B Com degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will be awarded.

Thursday 16 April 2015:

Multiple award winning South African TV presenter, Leanne Manas, will be the speaker at both Thursday ceremonies.

Manas has graced our screens for over a decade. Not many broadcasters can boast having had live TV experience, 5 days a week for 12 years. She is currently the anchor of SABC 2’s flagship breakfast programme, Morning Live. Leanne is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher. having studied at London Trinity College. She also has an Honours degree in English.
Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication Sciences will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. The 14:30 ceremony will have diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities’ other qualifications except for Social Sciences and Communication Sciences.

Friday 17 April 2015:

Dr Maria Phalime will be the speaker at both ceremonies on Friday.

Phalime is a medical doctor and award-winning author. She practiced for a brief period as a general practitioner in South Africa and the United Kingdom, before leaving medical practice to pursue non-clinical interests. She has worked in trade and investment promotion, and has undertaken research and consulting in the areas of economic development and business facilitation.

Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of Education (CE, NPDE and ACE excluded) will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, and Theology will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Click here for the simple layout of the 2015 April Graduation programme:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/2014-graduation-ceremony/graduation-ceremony

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