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01 December 2022 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo iFLAIR Photography

During its meeting on 25 November 2022, the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously approved the name changes of five residences on the Bloemfontein Campus. 

The UFS Institutional Transformation Plan (ITP) states that a transformed university in South Africa will be one that strives for social justice in everything it does. It will be an institution where its diverse people feel a sense of common purpose and where the symbols and spaces, systems and daily practices all reflect a commitment to openness and engagement. 

“It is in this context that the names and symbols of all 36 residences on the Bloemfontein Campus have been reviewed to ensure that the institutional culture and spaces contribute to an inclusive sense of belonging. The process was started in 2021 through the university’s Naming Committee,” said Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor. 

Subsequently, a process was launched for the review and adjustment of the names of several residences on campus. The recommended name changes express the university’s commitment to courageously grapple with its shared past, present, and future. They are informed by the (2020) Naming and Renaming Policy, which “recognises that the names bestowed on its assets must sustain a harmonious balance between descriptive functions, the university’s origins, the rich history and heritage of the UFS, and the constitutionally democratic society it is designed to serve”. 

As such, the following name changes were approved by the UFS Council:

“The renaming process of the five residences included a variety of activities, all of which focused on building and implementing an engagement and consultation process with the various stakeholders and role player communities,” said Prof Petersen. 

During the renaming process, an important approach of the Naming Committee was to balance the social justice and multilingual agenda of the UFS. Therefore, the languages used in the renaming process reflect not only some of the languages spoken at the UFS (i.e., English, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and isiZulu), but also languages such as isiXhosa, Kiswahili and the use of a name that draws on the national motto in ways that recognise the Khoisan heritage of the Free State and South Africa. 

“The renaming process is an important milestone for the UFS as it symbolises and celebrates the courage and vision of the university community for its commitment to transformation and for participating in a process which aims at producing a names and symbols environment in which all can experience belonging,” said Prof Petersen. 

During the Council meeting, the Naming Committee was thanked for the work done and for the balanced approach to the process of renaming the residences. 

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus announces 2017/2018 SRC
2017-09-06

Description: QQ campus SRC Tags: Qwaqwa Campus, SRC,Sasco, Prakash Naidoo 

Newly-elected SRC President, Masopha Hlalele, leading a
ceremonial walk to the SRC chambers for the first sitting
of the SRC.With him is the Director: Student Affairs,
Temba Hlasho;IEA Chairperson, Grey Magaiza; and
Campus Principal, Prof Prakash Naidoo.
Photo: Thabo Kessah


The 2017/2018 Student Representative Council (SRC) elections on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) have been declared free, fair, and credible. This was announced by the Chairperson of the institutional Independent Electoral Agency (IEA), Grey Magaiza, during the official announcement of the results and the hand-over ceremony held on 4 September 2017. 

“We had an average voter turnout of 52% per elective portfolio, thus making it arguably one of the highest in the country. Compared to last year, there was a 15% increase notwithstanding the 23% increase in the student population,” he said.  
In congratulating the newly-elected SRC, the Director of Student Affairs, Temba Hlasho, challenged the student leaders to leave the campus intact and fully sustainable for future generations.
“You are now faced with the mammoth task of understanding your role in developing an ethical and moral leadership that will help to sustain the university academically, financially, and beyond.”
In his response, the new SRC President, Masopha Hlalele, acknowledged the role played by the previous SRC, and said they were prepared to usher in a new phase of turning each student into a proud ambassador of the campus.

“We will be ushering in a new phase where all students will be the focus of the SRC. This will be a phase where students will not discriminate against each other, but appreciate each other’s differences and become ambassadors,” he said.

The South African Students’ Congress (Sasco) won all seven elective seats with an average of 62.5%.

Elective portfolios:

President: Masopha Hlalele 
Deputy President: Sakhile Mnguni 
Secretary General:  Mawande Mazibuko 
Treasurer General:  Mafusi Mosia 
Media and Publicity:  Khethukuthula Thusi 
Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Mbali Ndlovu 
Politics and Transformation: Promise Mofokeng

Ex officio portfolios:

Arts and Culture: Khulani Mhlongo 
Religious Affairs: Ndamulelo Muthaki, 
RAG, Community and Dialogue: Mafeka Tshabalala 
Residence and Catering Affairs: Thato Moloi  
Sports Affairs: Sibusiso Nsibande
Academic Affairs: Mamokete Tamo
Off-Campus: Khethwa Mngezi 

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