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03 March 2021
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Story Giselle Baillie
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Photo Supplied
_web.jpg?sfvrsn=987e6620_1 "NJ van Merwe Read More (1)_web")
Residence members who led the project, included:
Bohlokwa Rantja, the Residence Prime, and Transformation Committee members Nsuku Mutemela, Ofentse Motlakeng, Phindile Tjale, Madinku Mabala, Mmapopi Motshoso, Karabo Shuping, and Tagane Sekete.
The University of the Free State (UFS) Council approved and adopted Lehakwe House as the new name for the
NJ van der Merwe residence on the Bloemfontein Campus. The approval on 26 November 2020 followed a lengthy process of deliberation, consultation, and public engagement that has taken place since November 2019 and is aligned with the UFS Policy on Naming and Renaming. The name-change process was initiated by the Prime and Transformation Committee of the residence, guided by the
Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice and supported by a multi-stakeholder committee representative of the residence, the Housing and Residence Affairs Office, the Department of Student Affairs, the Student Representative Council, and alumni.
Lehakwe – a precious gem
Following a lengthy evaluation process of the names submitted through a public voting and recommendation platform in July 2020, ‘Lehakwe’ – a Sesotho word referring to a ‘precious gem’ – emerged as the front runner. As many current and past members of the residence attest, this womxn’s residence has come to occupy a significant space within the hearts and minds of UFS students and the UFS community, given that its spirit has always been closely aligned with the constitutional values of dignity, equality, and freedom and with the human values of ubuntu. In this vein, the new name of ‘Lehakwe’ presents a consolidation of constitutional and university values into the day-to-day thinking, learning, living, and legacy spaces of students, as well as everyone who interacts and engages with the UFS.
Dweller control discussed at the UFS
2008-10-24
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Prof. Lochner Marais, from the Centre for Development Support at the University of the Free State (UFS), recently delivered his inaugural lecture on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. The title of the lecture was: "Dweller control: The missing link in South African housing policy". According to Prof. Marais the concept of dweller control has not been adequately translated into policy. “Very few people have any say in the planning, design and cost implications of their housing units. If the housing process does not make provision for dweller control and the management thereof, people will not appreciate what the state has given them. There is too much state involvement and control," said Prof. Marais. Here are, from the left: Prof. Marais, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, Prof. Lucius Botes, head of the Centre for Development Support, and Prof. Tienie Crous, Acting Vice-Rector: Academic Operations at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett
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