{"id":307113,"date":"2026-04-18T13:23:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T11:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/student-dies-moments-before-graduation-function\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T14:08:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:08:30","slug":"student-dies-moments-before-graduation-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/student-dies-moments-before-graduation-function\/","title":{"rendered":"UFS mourns student\u2019s tragic death ahead of graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>BLOEMFONTEIN <\/strong>&#8211; The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ufs.ac.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of the Free State<\/a> (UFS) is mourning the death of a student who died just hours before the graduation ceremony on its Bloemfontein campus, yesterday, Friday 17 April. The university has confirmed the incident but said the cause of death remains unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cut-student-tragically-dies-while-presenting-a-class-on-campus\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cut-student-tragically-dies-while-presenting-a-class-on-campus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CUT student tragically dies while presenting a class on campus<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time, and we wish them strength as they come to terms with this loss,&#8221; the university said in a statement. The institution extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and fellow students. The deceased was a graduate from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The university has not yet released the identity of the deceased student. The student was among the 8 350 graduates across the various faculties of the university. The tragic incident brought sad ending to UFS&#8217;s April graduation ceremonies. The graduation ceremonies began at the UFS Qwaqwa campus from 10-11 April and continued at the Bloemfontein campus from 14-18 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of the Free State has confirmed the tragic death of a student hours before graduation, but the cause of death remains 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