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UFS Council approves name changes of five residences on the Bloemfontein Campus

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

Kovsie Netball team aims for first home final on Monday 12 October 2015

2015-10-09

Kovsies Netball has been unbeaten this year.

The University of the Free State (UFS) netball team is hoping to continue its good performance in the Varsity Sport series against the North-West University on Monday 12 October 2015 at 19:00, in order to reach the finals for a third consecutive year.

The teams will meet in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus for a follow-up of last year’s semi-final. Kovsies won that that game in Bloemfontein with a score of 51-45.

If the home team prevails, they will be hosting a final for the first time.

The Kovsies, who were unbeaten this year, and finished at the top of the log, were the champions in the first two seasons, but had to play away from home in the final against Pukke in 2013 and Tuks in 2014.

The last league match they lost against Pukke was in 2013. The score in Pretoria was 47-60 in favour of the Pukke.

Many of the clashes between the teams have been very close games. Last year, there was a 45-45 draw in Potchefstroom.

In the first round of 2015 between Kovsies and Pukke in Bloemfontein, the UFS won by 47-38.

In their final league match in Stellenbosch on Monday 5 October 2015, Kovsies won against Maties by 41-33, while the Pukke, who ended fourth on the log, defeated the Madibaz 65-32 in Potchefstroom.

In the other semi-final on Monday, Tukkies and Maties, second and third respectively on the log, will play against each other in Pretoria. This match will be broadcast live on a big screen in the Callie Human Centre on Monday.

The Kovsie captain, Karla Mostert, who will be playing for Bath in England next year, is currently ahead on votes for Player of the Series. Last year, she was also Player of the Series. Fans may vote for her on the Varsity Sport Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/varsitysportsSA.

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