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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

Prof. Magda Fourie leaves the UFS
2007-08-01

Prof. Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector Academic Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS), has resigned from her position and has been appointed as Vice-Rector: Learning at the University of Stellenbosch (US) as from 1 October 2007.

She has been appointed in the vacant position of Prof. Russel Botman, who was appointed as Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the US at the end of 2006.

Prof. Fourie started her career at the UFS in 1998 as researcher in higher education and was later promoted to Director of the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHESD).

She was appointed on 1 January 2004 as Vice-Rector: Academic Planning and is responsible for among others strategic planning (including strategic planning for the two satellite campuses of the UFS), academic planning (including programme planning and evaluation, institutional quality assurance, enrolment planning, research planning, community service, etc.), regional co-operation and academic development for students.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
31 July 2007

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