UFS Alumni

ONE TEAM. ONE UNIVERSITY. ONE MISSION.

The defending champions are ready to bounce back! 💪⚽

After a tough 4–2 defeat to UP-TUKS in their opening encounter, the UFS Football Team will be looking to redeem themselves and return to winning ways when they face TUT this Friday.

UFS ALUMNI, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

It’s time to rally behind our champions, fill the stands and let the team feel the strength of the UFS family!

📍 Shimlas Stadium
📅 Friday, 14 August 2026
⏰ 17H00
⚽ UFS vs TUT

Bring your voice. Bring your energy. Bring the UFS spirit!

Let’s pack Shimlas Stadium and back our boys to victory!

🎟️ Buy your ticket here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/387730-mens-varsity-football-ufs-vs-tut/ #/

From Local Roots to Global Impact 🌍

Our fourth Alumni Career Connect (ACC) 2026 event held on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at Equitas Auditorium in Bloemfontein Campus was an inspiring success as we welcomed Cherish Vundisa Struthers back to his Kovsie roots to share his remarkable journey of creating global impact through storytelling, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and strategic leadership.

Guests were captivated by Cherish's authentic insights into building a purpose-driven career, using creativity to influence change, and embracing opportunities beyond borders while staying connected to one's roots.

The high engagement throughout the session reflected the value of the conversation, with attendees actively participating in the Q&A, sharing their own experiences, and exploring practical ways to apply storytelling and innovation in their personal and professional lives. The networking that followed created meaningful connections between alumni, students, and professionals, reinforcing the power of the Kovsie community.

A heartfelt thank you to Cherish for inspiring us to think bigger, lead with purpose, and use our unique stories to make a lasting impact.

Alumni Career Connect | Entrepreneurial Mindset: Resilience, Innovation and Growth.

Ready to be inspired by an entrepreneur who is turning creativity into impact?

Join us for the fifth Alumni Career Connect event in our 2026 series, featuring talented entrepreneur, founder and director of Afrikan Glow Fantasies, creative business leader and proud Kovsie alumna, Baanetse Mokhotla.

Topic: Entrepreneurial Mindset: Resilience, Innovation and Growth.

📅 Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00–13:30
📍 Venue: Charlotte Maxeke Gazelle, Qwaqwa Campus

Come and gain valuable insights into building resilience, embracing innovation and cultivating a growth mindset in your entrepreneurial journey.

Light snacks will be served after the event.

Register now to reserve your seat:
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Resilience, Innovation and Growth with Baanetse Mokhotla – Fill out form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/hZegf4G4qB

📞 For more information:
Ndumiso Mlangeni
📧 [email protected]
📱 +27 81 332 2612

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired!

SAVE THE DATE | UFS London Alumni Connect 🇬🇧

The University of the Free State (UFS) is coming to London!

UFS alumni based in London and the surrounding areas are warmly invited to join us for an evening of reconnecting, networking, and celebrating the UFS community. Partners are welcome to join.

🗓 Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕕 Time: 18:00 – 21:00
📍 Venue: To be confirmed
👔 Dress Code: Smart casual

Reconnect with fellow Kovsies, hear the latest news from your alma mater, and strengthen the global UFS alumni network through intentional engagement.

📩 Enquiries: Carmenita Redcliffe
✉️ [email protected]
📞 +27 84 808 2555

We look forward to seeing you in London soon!

Celebrated UFS alumni return to the Odeion

The University of the Free State proudly welcomes acclaimed author Deon Meyer and renowned musician Coenie de Villiers back to campus for Karoo Choice: The Best of the Karoo Suites on 28 July at the Odeion.

Blending powerful storytelling with beautiful piano compositions, this special homecoming celebrates the enduring connection between UFS, its alumni, and the arts.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/july/celebrated-ufs-alumni-bring-the-spirit-of-the-karoo-home-to-the-odeion

Book your ticket here: https://bit.ly/3QPS4Fb

📍 Odeion, UFS Bloemfontein Campus
📅 Tuesday, 28 July 2026
🎟️ Tickets available via Quicket.

University of the Free State alumni in Gauteng book your seat now.

The University of the Free State (UFS) warmly invites you and your partner to the UFS Pretoria Alumni Connect.

Don’t miss this event aimed to reconnecting with fellow alumni, expanding your professional network, and strengthening your lifelong connection with the UFS community.

Join us for an evening of meaningful engagement, insightful conversations, and shared pride in our alma mater.

📅 Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
🕕 Time: 18:00 – 21:00
📍 Venue: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice!, Menlyn, Pretoria
👔 Dress code: Smart casual

Kindly RSVP by 28 September 2026 by emailing Ndumiso Mlangeni [email protected].

Please note that registration will close once the venue reaches capacity, so early confirmation is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Enquiries:
📧 [email protected]
📞 081 332 2612

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of connection, conversation, and inspired engagement.

Alumni Career Connect (ACC) From local roots to global impact with Cherish Vundisa Struthers

Keen to learn how storytelling, entrepreneurship, and advocacy creates meaningful change?

Join us for the fourth ACC event in our 2026 series featuring Cherish Vundisa, creative strategist, entrepreneur, marketing and development specialist, Harrison Middleton University Fellow, proud Kovsie graduate, and BBC News Africa finalist.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 – 13:30
📍 Venue: Equitas Auditorium

Enjoy an inspiring conversation on turning local experiences into global impact.

Light snacks will be served after the event.

Seats are limited so register now to reserve yours: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=uRv8jg-5SEq_bLoGhhk7gBN45zWgEGVNiVlksaotPMlUMzA3Mzk1TlJSWko0TTJETEhRN1UxUkFIVy4u&route=shorturl

For more information, contact Ndumiso Mlangeni:
📧 [email protected]
📞 +27 81 332 2612

🇳🇦 Namibia, we can’t wait to reconnect with you!

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host an Alumni Connect event in Windhoek to reconnect with alumni for a memorable evening of connection, conversation and Kovsie pride.

If you joined one of these UFS Alumni Connect events in the past, you will remember the meaningful conversations, familiar faces and new connections that made the evening so special. This year promises even more opportunities to reconnect with fellow UFS alumni, expand your professional network and engage with University leadership.

The University of the Free State warmly invites you and your partner to the UFS Namibia Alumni Connect.

This year, We are honoured to be joined by Prof. Ylva Rodny-Gumede, Executive Director: Advancement, and David Marupen, Director: Fundraising and Alumni Relations.

📅 Tuesday, 4 August 2026
🕕 18:00 – 21:00
📍 Stratos Ballroom, Avani Windhoek Hotel, Gustav Voigts Centre, 129 Independence Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia
👔 Dress Code: Smart Casual
RSVP asap as seats are limited.

Registration closes once the venue reaches capacity, so secure your place early to avoid disappointment.

We can't wait to welcome you for an evening of meaningful conversations, valuable connections and renewed UFS pride.

For enquiries:
📧 [email protected]
📞 +27 81 332 2612