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UFS welcomes Basotho New Year with a visit to Basotho Cultural Village

11 August 2025 | Story Teboho Mositi | Photo Teboho Mositi

The Department of African Languages, in collaboration with the Bosotho Matjhabeng Association on the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus, celebrated the Basotho New Year vibrantly at the Basotho Cultural Village on 1 August 2025. The event was hosted in partnership with the Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and included participation from various stakeholders committed to preserving and promoting the Basotho heritage.

The Basotho New Year is traditionally celebrated on 1 August, marking an important seasonal transition in the Basotho calendar in August, as it signifies the end of the dry winter season (Mariha) and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. This period is associated with renewal, growth, and preparation for planting. In line with long-standing customs, the first crops are symbolically offered to God in a sacred ritual (Tlatlamatjholo), expressing gratitude and seeking blessings for a successful harvest season. This year’s celebration centred on the theme of the eight stars (dinaledi) – a vital aspect of Basotho cosmology and identity. Students had the opportunity to gain exposure, deepen their knowledge, and learn about the cultural and historical significance of the different stars and their importance to the Basotho nation. Through traditional performances, storytelling, and educational engagement, the event successfully blended cultural celebration with learning, reinforcing the need to preserve indigenous knowledge for future generations.

Honouring the history of the Basotho

The Basotho New Year is a culturally significant day that celebrates the identity, history, and traditions of the Basotho people. According to Dr Mabohlokoa Khanyetsi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of African Languages, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural knowledge in shaping the future. “A nation that does not know itself will struggle to determine its future,” she said. The New Year is celebrated through various cultural practices, including traditional clothing, food, games, and the sharing of oral history. Dr Khanyetsi explained that historical knowledge is not only valuable for preserving identity, but also for learning from the past to make informed decisions moving forward. She highlighted the traditional use of stars (dinaledi) by the Basotho to guide agricultural activities. The appearance of specific stars signalled the right time to begin ploughing, helping communities prepare for a season of abundance. Crops such as sorghum bicolor played a central role, as they were used to produce staple foods such as porridge, bread, and traditional beer. Dr Khanyetsi also underlines the value of cultural customs and rites of passage, which once marked a bridge to transition from childhood to adulthood. These practices, she argues, helped individuals remain connected to their environment and community. “I have deep respect for those who continue such traditions, as they keep us grounded in who we are as a people,” she concluded.

The founder of the Bosotho Matjhabeng Association, Rethabile Mothabeng, said: “It was truly an eye-opener to engage with researchers and learn how the stars are not just beautiful to look at, but deeply connected to the Basotho calendar, especially when it comes to planting and predicting the weather. What made it even more special was how our team brought that knowledge to life through poetry. It wasn’t just learning, it was a creative journey that we shared together.”

News Archive

UFS council elects Nwaila and Hancke

2005-03-15

Dr Charles Nwaila, Superintendent-General of Education in the Free State, was elected Vice-chairperson of the UFS Council and Judge Faan Hancke was re-elected as Chairperson today.

According to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, the election of Dr Nwaila is an important achievement for the UFS as Dr Nwaila is a well known leader in education in the Free State.

Dr Nwaila pledged to work constructively with the UFS council and management to ensure that the UFS benefits all people of the province and the country.

The appointments are valid for a term of three years from 1 June 2005 to 31 May 2008.

The elections took place at the quarterly meeting of the UFS Council where a number of other key transformation steps were approved.

The Council approved a Strategic Plan for the UFS which reflects a renewed focus on transformation of the institution, calling it an important roadmap for the future of the UFS.

According to Prof Fourie, the Strategic Plan tried strike a balance between continuity and change, addressing the need to remain an excellent university in an ever-changing context and environment.

Prof Fourie said transformation had many aspects and dimensions and could not be reduced to an issue of numbers.

The Strategic Plan identifies five strategic priorities and corresponding challenges in the next phase of transformation.

The priorities are:

quality and excellence
equity, diversity and redress
financial sustainability
regional co-operation and engagement.
outward thrust

Prof Fourie said that besides the five strategic priorities the plan also reflected concrete actions and interventions to address them.

He said the renewed focus on transformation is embedded in the priorities and specific actions that are identified.

The Council congratulated the management for the roadmap and for the achievements that have already been achieved in terms of transformation.

In order to draft a comprehensive Transformation Plan that will give substance to certain aspects of the UFS Strategic plan – or roadmap – the Council approved the establishment of a Transformation Plan Team.

The team will consist of about 16 people, which includes the two coordinators, Prof Teuns Verschoor, Vice-Rector: Academic Operations, and Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs.

According to Prof Verschoor, the team was chosen and approved by the Executive Management earlier for the individual contributions that they could make.

While the individuals do not represent particular constituencies on campus they are a very diverse group of persons in terms of race, gender and various sections of the campus and the satellite campuses.

Prof Fourie, said there was an urgency and importance attached to the work of the Transformation Plan Team.

He said that while the team must produce a plan within a tight deadline, the task must be carried out very well, which could mean different stages in the work of the team.

According to the Rector, the UFS must take the lead in best practice transformation, while not underestimating the complexity of the issues facing the UFS.

The full list of names will be finalized soon.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Mnr Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Cel: 072 207 8334
Tel: (051) 401-2749
11 Maart 2005

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