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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

UFS Council approves proposals from the Naming Committee for the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses
2016-07-20

Description: New Hostels on Qwaqwa Campus Tags: New Hostels on Qwaqwa Campus

New residence on the Qwaqwa Campus
Photo: Charl Devenish

During its meeting at the Bloemfontein Campus on Friday 3 June 2016, the Council of the University of the Free State approved the following proposals from the Naming Committee: 

Bloemfontein Campus

  • The Student Representative Council Building was renamed Steve Biko House.
  • The amphitheatre was renamed Student Kgotla.

Qwaqwa Campus

  • The Administration Building was renamed the Intsika Building.
  • The amphitheatre was renamed the Chief Albert Luthuli Amphitheatre.
  • The Dining Hall was renamed the Kopanong Dining Hall.
  • The new Education Building was named the Sedibeng Education Building.
  • The old Education Building was renamed the Kgorong Education Building.
  • The Humanities Building was renamed the Mendi Building.
  • The two new women’s residences were named the Fulufhelo Residence and Charlotte Maxeke Residence.
  • The two new men’s residences were named the Khayelitsha Residence and Khayalethu Residence.

UFS Council approves name change of buildings and centres on the three campuses (23 February 2016)

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