Bult - University of the Free State

Alumni Alumni
Thabo’s voice opens hearts of people
Setlogelo Lucas Radebe talks with… Thabo Hlongwane
Like many alumni I wondered what the University
of the Free State has done for me. It is rather a
hypothetical question. It is more appropriate to question
contributions to my Alma Mater. After all the UFS has
provided a platform whereby any student can thrive.
One individual who has benefited from the endless
opportunities offered by the UFS is Thabo Hlongwane.
Here we are not talking about the academic
opportunities. We are looking at the platform where
an individual discovered himself. More so, that the
University provides opportunities to discover one’s
talents.
At the age of 25, Thabo Hlongwane is the third of seven
children raised by the Hlongwane family in Ladysmith.
His father worked at Dunlop Tyres as an operator whilst
the mother stayed at home. His choice of an academic
institution was not a coincidence. It was based on the
application of a sound mind. Thabo applied throughout
the country for a programme in Agriculture. But the
UFS’s quality stood out.
It was not easy for Thabo to become part of Kovsie
Land. He suspended his studies due to a lack of
finances in 2003, but came back very strongly in 2004
with a bursary from Grain SA.
However, this fourth-year student discovered more
than just gold in his studies. He entered a journey of
understanding himself and following his passions.
He mentions the importance of quality education and
passion for what he does.
The musician was discovered in 2005 at the
rehearsals of Cantare, a review group of the UFS. One
choreographer, Jennis Williamson, visited the group on
campus and a career opened for Thabo… A few days
after the visit Thabo received an invitation from Steve
Hofmeyr and he recorded the song My Duifie, my Liefie
with the musician.
More opportunities were to follow. The head of
UFS Culture then, Louis Botha, added to the swift
development of Thabo’s music talent. Thabo was to
perform across the country, including at the Miss South
Africa beauty pageant crowning ceremony.
His self-titled album, Thabo, is frequently played on
radiosondergrense and Radio Rosestad.
His growing stature could not get him to abandon his
studies. “I just have to have a qualification of quality
especially in what I love, agriculture.” In the mean time
the musician will focus on music. His new album, a
tribute to Gé Korsten as well as a classic gospel album,
was recorded in January.
But what it is like to be a Kovsie, I asked. He shifted to
his motto in life “Believe in your dreams and go after
them”. Then he related the abundant opportunities
available in the UFS for personal development. The
quality of education is augmented by broad and diverse
activities to align with.
He makes me aware that the student division of Kovsie
Culture is huge. And advised that people need to
identify with their passions and spread their wings.
The university contributed more than just quality and
excellent academic programmes. “The people at the
university have been great,” he added.
On the personal front he says he is a lone ranger. I
indicate to him that it is critical to find a wife at the
university. After relaying a story of a single guy whose
friends all married girls they dated at university, he just
laughs… “Maybe after a year I will consider that. Right
now I want to build a strong foundation my career.”
“Believe in your
dreams and go
after them”
72 Bult 73