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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.
Join the Kovsie chain of goodwill for Mandela Day
2013-07-17
17 July 2013
The University of the Free State (UFS) will join other civil society institutions by linking together in recognition of the legacy of Madiba on Nelson Mandela Day.
A “human chain” of UFS staff and students will be created at the “thinking stone” next to the H vd Merwe Scholtz Hall on the Bloemfontein Campus tomorrow from 11:00. At 11:25 the assembled chain will recite a pledge statement from the university then move to the Red Square where the rest of the 2013 Mandela Day activities will take place.
The NSH patrons, Mrs Grace Jansen and Dr Carin Buys, will release symbolic doves and join the rest of the “chain” in the singing of the national anthem and prayers from the UFS Interreligious Forum and Campus Ministries Forum.
For enquiries please contact Karen Scheepers on 082 777 8897.