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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

Imperium honours top performers

2012-08-17

Attending Imperium Residence’s academic evening was, from left: Dr Scarpa Schoeman, Residence Head of Veritas, Dr Mpho Moagi-Jama, Residence Head of Imperium; Michael van Niekerk, Primarius of Imperium; Monique Visser; Mr Pura Mgolombane, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership; and Monique Janse van Rensburg, a former primaria of Imperium.
Photo: Amanda Tongha
17 August 2012

The city residence Imperium, previously known as Medix, honoured its academic performers during the residence’s annual academic evening, which was held on Thursday 16 August 2012. Certificates were handed out to the residence’s top first-year and senior students.

A bursary of R10 000 was also handed over to a student. The money was collected by the students themselves. Monique Visser, a first-year medical student, who was among the top ten matriculants in the Western Cape in 2011, received the bursary. Monique was also named the second best student in her year group.

Michael van Niekerk, Primarius of Imperium and the best third-year student, praised Monique for her hard work and said it was good to give back to students.

Dr. Mpho Moagi-Jama, the residence head of Imperium, praised her students and said they must continue being outstanding.

Imperium, which underwent a name change recently, is open to male and female students in all fields of study.

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