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FEMALE CONTRACTOR COMPLETES WORLD-CLASS HEALTH FACILITY
Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and FS Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Staff Reporter Premier Letsoha-Mathae’s advocacy for more women contractors has been validated. The successful completion of the Borwa Clinic, a state-of-the-art health facility in Tweespruit, by a woman-led construction company, strongly supports the Premier’s viewpoint. “Women contractors should be given the same opportunities as men, not just because they are women, but because they are compete
themarathonnews03
Dec 8, 20252 min read


‘TRADITION EXPLOITED TO JUSTIFY ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN’ – PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA
President Cyril Ramaphosa By: Staff Reporter President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced the mistreatment of women by men who use culture and tradition as a cover. On Thursday, 4, the President addressed the Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Addressing over 9,000 attendees at Lemo Green Park, President Ramaphosa stated that violence against women and children has reached intolerable levels. The President
themarathonnews03
Dec 5, 20252 min read


SEXUAL OFFENCES COURT ESTABLISHED IN BOTSHABELO
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi By: Neo Ntsele A Safe Haven for Victims and a Step Toward Effective Prosecution. In South Africa, over the last six financial years, more than 100,000 cases involving child victims have been recorded. Among these, more than 22,000 were sexual offences. Recently, a 32-year-old man from Botshabelo in Mangaung was successfully prosecuted and convicted for sexually as
themarathonnews03
Dec 4, 20252 min read


GOVERNMENT WARNS AGAINST MATRIC PENS-DOWN PARTIES
Poster By: Staff reporter The Department of Education has warned the matriculants of class of 2025 to refrain from hosting pens-down parties, as they normally do not end well, sometimes even leading to the death of some learners. "Class of 2025, your determination has brought you to the final phase of the exam season. Celebrate in ways that elevate you and honour the commitment that has steered your path. If an event promises excitement but lacks proper oversight or reliable
themarathonnews03
Nov 24, 20251 min read


SOUTH AFRICA'S FIRST AMBASSADOR TO THE US, DR FRANKLIN SONN, PASSES AWAY
Dr Franklin Sonn By: Neo Ntsele The esteemed Dr Franklin Sonn, an advocate for justice and education and the chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS) from 2002 to 2009, passed away on Saturday, 15, at age 86. He was born in Vosburg, located in the Karoo, and grew up in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Hester C. Klopper expressed gratitude for his dedicated service and contributions to the institution. “We are profoundly thankful for Dr
themarathonnews03
Nov 17, 20252 min read


UFS SCHOLARS JOIN PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL ACADEMY
Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn (left) and Prof Serges Kamga By: Neo Ntsele Two academics from the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Serges Kamga and Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, have been elected to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), acknowledging their significant contributions to research and scholarship. Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo was also selected for the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), recognised for his work in public mental health. Prof Kamga,
themarathonnews03
Nov 14, 20251 min read


PROF YLVA RODNY-GUMEDE APPOINTED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: ADVANCEMENT AT UFS
Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede By: Neo Ntsele The University of the Free State (UFS) announced the appointment of Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede as Executive Director: Advancement, effective 1 November 2025. Prof Rodny-Gumede will provide strategic leadership for the university’s Institutional Advancement, Communication and Marketing, and Student Recruitment portfolios. Prof Rodny-Gumede joins the UFS from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where she served as Senior Director, Division o
themarathonnews03
Nov 3, 20252 min read


UFS FINAL-YEAR PHD STUDENT HONOURED WITH L'Oréal-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARD
Martiale Zebaze Kana, Head of the Science Unit at the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa; Runè van der Merwe, UFS PhD student and 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science awardee; and Serge Sacre, CEO of L’Oréal South Africa, at the 2025 awards ceremony. By: Neo Ntsele Runè van der Merwe , a final-year PhD student in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been selected as one of eight recipients of the prestigious
themarathonnews03
Oct 21, 20254 min read


UFS SUSPENDS ALL ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AFTER STUDENT PROTESTS
UFS Logo By: Neo Ntsele The University of the Free State (UFS) suspended all on-campus academic activities on 14 October 2025, following student protest actions that had taken place on its three campuses over the past week. The Qwaqwa Campus is closed with immediate effect, and students have been requested to vacate the campus within the next 24 hours. This decision follows incidents on the evening of 13 October 2025, during which a group of students caused extensive damage t
themarathonnews03
Oct 15, 20252 min read


UFS CELEBRATES 96% SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IAC PASS RATE
Photo: Prof Frans Prinsloo, Head of the UFS School of Accountancy, with some of the proud 2024 BAccHons and PGDip (Chartered Accountancy)...
themarathonnews03
Sep 12, 20253 min read


"TRANSFORMATION CANNOT EXCLUDE WOMEN AND YOUTH" PREMIER MAQUEEN
Budget Vote Breakfast Engagement By: Neo Ntsele Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae emphasized that the inclusion and participation of women...
themarathonnews03
Sep 12, 20252 min read


VC-ISRC IMBEWU LEGACY FUND OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN CRISIS
Photo: Prof Hester C. Klopper UFS VICE-Chancellor and Principal (middle), with members of the UFS management team and ISRC members at the...
themarathonnews03
Jul 18, 20252 min read


UFS TO ESTABLISH SECOND VETERINARY TRAINING FACILITY IN SA
Photo: Vet Science Supplied By: Staff Reporter The University of the Free State (UFS) is advancing plans to establish a new veterinary...
themarathonnews03
Jun 17, 20253 min read


PROF HESTER C. KLOPPER INAUGURATED AS 15th VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL, FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD THE UFS
Photo: Prof Hester Klopper with Prof Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State. By: Neo Ntsele Prof Hester C....
themarathonnews03
Jun 10, 20254 min read


UFS UNVEILS LANDMARK SESOTHO SA LEBOA DICTIONARY
Photo: Launch attendees Supplied By: Neo Ntsele The University of the Free State (UFS) recently marked a truly historic moment for...
themarathonnews03
Jun 4, 20253 min read


EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE FREE STATE
Photo: Cold Weather Sign Supplied By: Staff Reporter The South African Weather Service (SAWS) in Bloemfontein has issued weather report...
themarathonnews03
May 2, 20251 min read


INITIATIVE WILL POSITION UFS AS A LEADER IN CIRCULARITY IN AGRICULTURE
Photo: Prof Wayne Truter Supplied By: Neo Ntsele The UFS Green Futures Hub was selected to host the South African Circular Agriculture...
themarathonnews03
Apr 17, 20253 min read


FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE RAYMOND ZONDO RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM UFS
Photo: Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo By: Neo Ntsele Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was presented with an honorary doctorate by...
themarathonnews03
Apr 11, 20252 min read


UFS CHANCELLOR APPOINTED AS V20 SOUTH AFRICA SHERPA
Photo: Prof Bonang Mohale Supplied By: Neo Ntsele University of the Free State (UFS) Chancellor Prof Bonang Mohale, has been...
themarathonnews03
Apr 2, 20251 min read


ENDANGERED AND VULNERABLE MAMMALS AT RISK OF ROADKILL
Photo: Prof Aliza le Roux Supplied By: Neo Ntsele Animals in mountainous areas around the world, in particular endangered, vulnerable,...
themarathonnews03
Mar 27, 20253 min read
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