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NJ van der Merwe residence renamed Lehakwe House

03 March 2021 | Story Giselle Baillie | Photo Supplied

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.

News Archive

Social entrepreneurship important to eradicate poverty

2012-03-30

Here are Rhoda Kadalie and Mark Lotter at the Business School
Photo: Stephen Collett
30 March 2012

Renowned South African human activist and popular columnist Rhoda Kadalie recently visited the Business School to lecture on social entrepreneurship.

Ms Kadalie has been the Executive Director of Impumelelo since 1999. This organisation rewards innovative government and civil society initiatives that improve social service delivery in the eradication of poverty in South Africa.

She was accompanied by Mr Mark Lotter, Fundraiser and Marketing Manager of Impumelelo. Mr Lotter did a presentation on ground-breaking achievements using best-practice South African case studies, e.g. the Mariannhill Landfill Conservancy, Phelophepa Health Train and mothers2mothers.

They elaborated on the principles underlying the work and contributions of Impumelelo to the future well-being of the nation. It was clear from the lecture and the discussions that followed by MBAs, under- and postgraduate students from different faculties, as well as members of the university community, that the debate on social entrepreneurship is highly relevant, much needed and very important.

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