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17 May 2019 | Story Lacea Loader

The discussion of the book Gangster State by Pieter-Louis Myburgh will go ahead as planned on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 23 May 2019.

The decision to postpone the book discussion this week was done on advice by the university’s Protection Services to the UFS Business School, following a proper risk assessment.  However, the executive management re-assessed this decision and felt that the platform for intellectual debate and discourse, coupled with the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression, should be honoured and hence recommended that the UFS Business School continues with the book discussion.

Furthermore, the university wants to reiterate that freedom of expression is not an absolute and should be seen within a particular context.

The university welcomes and appreciates the fact that the author, Pieter-Louis Myburgh, agreed to continue with the book discussion. 

The event will take place in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus from 14:00 to 16:00.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

News Archive

World mourns giant of African literature
2013-03-25

 

UFS joins the world in commiserating the passing of the novelist, poet and literary critic, Chinua Achebe.
Photo credit: Mike Cohea/Brown University
25 March 2013

The staff and students of the University of the Free State (UFS) are saddened by the passing of Chinua Achebe on 21 March 2013 at the age of 82 in Boston in the United States.

Prof Achebe is widely regarded as one of Africa's greatest authors, gaining world-wide acclaim especially for his 1954 novel, Things Fall Apart. Prof Achebe’s other major works include Arrow of God, A Man of the People, Anthills of the Savannah, as well as his famous critique of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, namely An image of Africa: racism in Conrad's "Heart of darkness."

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, said he was privileged to attend three lectures by Achebe. "A giant in African literature has fallen. Go softly, Chinua Achebe. As a young student, I still remember sitting in awe of your wisdom and insight," he said.

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