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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

Two Kovsies play sevens rugby for SA
2009-05-29

The University of the Free State (UFS) has two players in the South African Sevens Rugby Team. Robert Ebersohn, B Comm General Management student and Philip Snyman, B Agric student, have been wearing the green and gold since October 2008 and represented South Africa at a number of tournaments, amongst others in Dubai, George SA, Wellington New Zealand, San Diego in the USA, Hong Kong, Adelaide Australia, London England and Edinburgh in Scotland.

Both players played in the tournaments and their performance in the team was exceptional. The last match that Robert played was on Sunday, 24 May 2009 during the semi-final against New Zealand at Twickenham in England. He will miss the last match in Scotland because he will join the SA U-20 group to practice for the World Championships in Japan.

Four Kovsie rugby players represented the UFS in the South African Student Sevens Rugby team that toured France. They are Johan van Niekerk, Wouter Stieger, Lionel Cronjé and Marlin Ruiters. Due to a concussion Marlin could not join the tour.

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