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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

UFS student missing after being accosted in Phuthaditjhaba

2014-10-15

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) management and Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Qwaqwa Campus are working around the clock to find Sinethemba Shezi, third-year BEd student, who was accosted on Friday 10 October 2014 at approximately 20:30 whilst walking to the campus with a friend.

The students wanted to study at the campus facilities, as they stay off-campus.

The matter was immediately reported to the university’s Campus Protection Services, who alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS). A search party, made up of members of the SAPS, the UFS Protection Services and the SRC, searched the area throughout the night.

Mr Shezi is still missing, despite various SAPS units – dogs, helicopter and divers – searching the area over the weekend until this afternoon (Tuesday 14 October 2014).

The campus community and the SAPS are doing everything possible to find Mr Shezi. His family is receiving support from the university.

The university management appeals to anybody with information to assist by calling one of the following persons:

Prof Prakash Naidoo
Campus Principal
+27(0)72 621 7135

Mr Teboho Manchu
Campus Vice-Principal: Support Services
+27(0)83 629 9343

Mr Tautona Moloi
Head: Protection Services
+27(0)81 015 3299

Issued by: Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Tel: +27(0)51 401 2584
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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