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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.
Chairperson of UFS Council appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal
2016-06-17
Judge Ian van der Merwe
Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council, has been appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal as from 1 July 2016. His appointment, together with that of Judge Connie Mocumie, was announced by the office of President Jacob Zuma last week.
Both judges will act in the Supreme Court of Appeal this month until their appointments come into effect next month.
“The university is excited and proud that its Chairperson of Council has achieved such great heights in the legal profession. Judge Van der Merwe brings enormous calm, deliberation and wisdom to the governance of the institution, and the UFS regards itself as privileged to have a man of his stature in the leadership of Council,” said the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen.
Judge Van der Merwe is an alumnus of the UFS and was elected as Chairperson of the Council on 20 November 2009, and re-elected on 16 November 2012. He was re-elected to serve for a third term on 11 September 2015.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27(0)51 401 2584 | +27(0)83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
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