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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.
Meet our Council: Likeleli Mphutlane
2016-08-03
Likeleli Mphutlane
The University of the Free State (UFS) has long been considered a leader in diversity. Its diverse character is nowhere more apparent than on the UFS Council, where different voices with differing viewpoints and diverse cultural backgrounds strive to lead the institution to greater heights.
One such voice belongs to Likeleli Mphutlane, who has been serving on the UFS Council since 2015. This dynamic young woman was born in Bethlehem, raised in Lesotho, and matriculated at Louw Wepener High School as a Matriculant of the Year Top 14 finalist.
Studies at the UFS
She completed a BAcc degree at the UFS, while serving as vice-primaria of Welwitschia Residence, after which she obtained a BAcc Honours degree from the University of South Africa.
She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014. After gaining work experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers and SAB, she works now as an independent consultant in her own company, Inspire Innovation Business Consultants.
Likeleli serves on the audit and risk committee and the financial committee of the Council.
The difference she makes
"I believe that my role on the Council is to share my expertise and skills to ensure that the university upholds the highest standards of governance, and achieves its objectives of remaining financially sustainable. I also think that, as a black female alumnus, I bring a diverse viewpoint to the Council," she says.
While her responsibilities as co-founder of the Lesotho Young Professionals Forum, and chairperson of the Free State branch of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants South Africa, keep her busy, she enjoys physical activity, and travelling with her husband, Stephen Monyamane.