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14 September 2018
Honouring great African leadership
Celebrating the legacy and leadership of the founder of the Basotho nation. From left are: Prof Itumeleng Mosala, Prof Puleng LenkaBula and Prof Francis Petersen, who attended the Moshoeshoe 1 memorial lecture delivered by Prof Mosala.

Prof Itumeleng Mosala, author, academic, public intellectual, researcher and business consultant, delivered the fourth King Moshoeshoe memorial lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein Campus. The lecture attracted audiences from as far as Lesotho including representatives of the Bakoena royal house. Ralechate Mokose, the High Commissioner of Lesotho also graced the lecture with his presence.

The King Moshoeshoe 1 memorial lectures are organised by the Department of Community Engagement and form part of the initiative to demonstrate the university’s commitment to transformation.

An example for global leadership

“I believe that throughout his reign, King Moshoeshoe demonstrated the power of ethical leadership. Not only as a model for African leadership but surely providing an example for leadership globally,” said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, in his welcoming message. He added that it was an integral part of the university’s mission to produce and disseminate knowledge on African affairs as well as to preserve the heritage and history of the country and the continent.

Leadership in times of battle

The keynote address by Prof Mosala was inspired by an article titled; 8 Facts about King Moshoeshoe I: The Razor of Southern Africa by Bill Humphrey. In his lecture, Prof Mosala focused on King Moshoeshoe’s leadership skills and resilience in battles. “King Moshoeshoe never lost a major battle. He was able to withstand insults and assaults but where there was no major battle, he would decide to retreat,” Prof Mosala said.
 
Drawing from King Moshoeshoe’s leadership, he said it was important for leaders to have the wisdom to allow insignificant battles to pass and focus the energy on winning major battles. Prof Mosala emphasised that King Moshoeshoe defended the land and built the Basotho nation. Leaders today need to learn such leadership qualities from this great Basotho king.

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Rector: Institutional Change, Student Affairs and Community Engagement said in her closing remarks that the youth needed to draw from King Moshoeshoe’s ethical leadership, generous hospitality and understanding of coexistence.

Read full speech here

News Archive

Focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community
2012-03-14

14 March 2012

The International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be presenting a week of events that will be used to launch monthly conversations about topics relevant to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community.

This year, LGBTI Week is scheduled to coincide with Human Rights Day in order to emphasise the importance of human rights for all LGBTI people in South Africa.

These critical conversations will include narrative contributions from LGBTI and heterosexual staff and students as well as theoretical discussions on LGBTI identity expressions, constitutional rights, “in/visibility” and inclusivity within the South African society.

Queer theory and other social justice perspectives around sexual orientation and multiple identity approaches will underpin the discussions. These conversations will provide a platform for the heterosexual and LGBTI communities to reconcile stereotypical and deeply decisive beliefs about LGBTI identities.
 

Programme for the LGBTI Week (starting on 19 March 2012).

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