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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

Goodbye SIFE, hello Enactus
2013-05-01

The Kovsies Enactus team
24 May 2013
Photo: Linda Fekisi

The Students in Free Enterprise, better known as SIFE, has changed its brand name to Enactus. This global rebranding took place late last year. It forms part of an attempt to increase the organisation’s level of reach and impact. It reflects that entrepreneurial action is not something that is relevant to a single culture or nationality.

The organisation is still in essence one which assists university students to create community empowerment projects. The Kovsies Enactus team has 53 active members on the Bloemfontein Campus.

“We encourage student development through Enactus. It is a great platform for students. There is a combination of ideas, expertise and diversity from different faculties,” says the Vice-Chairperson of internal affairs, Mirriam Matsoaboli.

Enactus is currently working on three major projects: Local Economic Development (LED) and Edcon, Shifting Focus, and an environmental project. LED works with 19 established businesses which are struggling to make a profit while Edcon deals with three designers in textile and clothes making. Shifting Focus forms part of the educational division. It focuses on instilling entrepreneurial skills in high school learners. The Enactus team serves as a mentoring structure and advises them. The environmental project is in its infant stage, with. Enactus working on recycling bottles and paper, especially old study guides on campus.

“Having a branch on the QwaQwa campus has also been one of our objectives. We are still in the process of establishing one,” adds Mirriam.

The Enactus team is currently preparing for the national competitions which will take place later in Sandton on 10 and 11 July.

  • Students tell us about your association and we will profile it on our Kovsielife page. Contact Amanda Tongha at tonghaa@ufs.ac.za

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