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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.
Prof. Johan Grobbelaar named as Bloemfonteiner of the Year
2010-09-10
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Prof. Johan Grobbelaar.
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| Prof. Johan Grobbelaar from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) has been named as Ons Stad, Mimosa Film Group and ABSA’s Bloemfonteiner of the Year for 2009.
Prof. Grobbelaar is honoured for a total of 43 years’ loyal service to Bloemfontein and its people, as well as his invaluable contributions which brought Bloemfontein locally, nationally and internationally into the foreground. He has generated many firsts as well as awards in the field of research. According to Ons Stad, his leadership of the first two experimental research expeditions to Marion Island and other parts of the world has made him a true citizen of the world.
He is also Chairperson of the UVPERSU Union at the UFS and strives towards reconciliation, equity and equality. As one of the “architects” of the UFS remuneration model he has contributed thereto that the UFS’s salary negotiations are now the most successful of all higher education institutions countrywide.
Prof. Grobbelaar is also a Mangaung Councillor who campaigns for the best service to the Bloemfontein community.
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