UFS elects new council chair

By Ofentse Mokae
22 November 2009

The Council of the University of Free State has appointed a new chairperson.

The council announced that High Court Judge Faan Hancke has been replaced as its chairperson.

Another judge, Ian van der Merwe, was appointed in his place.

University spokesperson Lacea Loader says Hancke’s leaving has nothing to do with the problems at the university.

Some of the problems are those surrounding the Reitz students video saga and the decision by rector Jonathan Jansen to pardon them.

Loader says Hancke’s term has merely expired.

“The Council also welcomed the following new members who were present at the meeting Free State MEC for Education Mr Pule Makgoe, Mr Ndaba Ntsele, Chief Executive Officer of the Pamodzi Group and Mr Willem Louw, Managing Director of Sasol Technology,” Loader said.

The new Chancellor will be elected as soon as the proposed statute is approved by the Council in 2010 and published in the Government Gazette.

Prof. Jansen will act as Chancellor for the interim period from 1 January 2010.