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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.
“I’ve come to take you home” – Diana Ferrus to launch her new book about Sarah Baartman
2014-03-13
Poet, performer, writer and story-teller, Diana Ferrus, will launch her book entitled “I’ve Come to Take You Home”, on 14 March 2014 at the Bloemfontein Campus. The story pays tribute to Sarah Baartman. The launch coincides with the celebration of South African Library Week at Kovsies.
Diana’s poetry and writing focuses on Africa, women, healing and liberation. Her work has been published in various collections and some serve as prescribed textbooks for high school learners.
Internationally recognised as a poet and cultural activist, Ferrus was part of a delegation that travelled to France to collect the remains of Sarah Baartman for a dignified burial in South Africa.
She writes in both English and Afrikaans and is a founder member of “Bush Poets”, an all-female group, the Afrikaans Writers Association, as well as women’s writers association, Women in X-chains.
Diana will be available to answer questions from the audience.
Event details
Date: Friday 14 March 2014
Time: 16:00
Venue: Mabaleng Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
Contact: Marcus Maphile Maphilelm@ufs.ac.za for more information or enquiries.