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03 March 2021 | Story Giselle Baillie | Photo Supplied
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. 

News Archive

Kovsie student represents SA at Sudirman Cup in China
2009-05-26

The South African National Badminton Team recently represented South Africa at the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou, China. The Sudirman Cup is the World Mixed-team Badminton Championships, which take place every two years.

Annari Viljoen, a Kovsie student and the brothers Chris and Roelof Dednam, former Kovsie students, were included in team that represented South Africa at the championships.

In the first match of the tournament, the Dednam brothers were the only victors when they won the mens doubles and defeated Paul Jefferson Vivas and Ronel Estanislao of the Philippines with 2117 and 2112.

In their second match, the South African team beat Luxembourg 41. In the mixed doubles the Dednams defeated Joe Michels and Yann Mellers with 2111 and 219 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat their opponents Anne Schumacher and Annick Weides with 1321 and 2224.

The South African team competed against Turkey in their third match and won 32, only losing the singles event. In the mens doubles the Dednams defeated Mehmet Tural and Ali Kaya with 2116 and 2113 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat Derya Calimbay and Oznur Caliskan with 2220 and 2117.

In the final group match team South Africa competed against Switzerland and lost 41 with only the mixed doubles pair of Dorian James and Annari winning their match against Anthony Dumartheray and Sabrina Jacquet with 1221, 2422 and 2119.

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