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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

First-year students encouraged to attend UFS welcoming function

2006-01-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host a welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents on Saturday 14 January 2006 in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

The function starts at 11:00 and will be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie. UFS staff will also be available to provide vital information to first-year students on academic matters.

According to Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS, Saturday’s welcoming function can assist students and parents by providing vital information on the many high quality academic learning programmes on offer at the UFS in six faculties.

“If students and parents have this information it will make the registration process, which starts next week Tuesday 17 January 2006, much smoother,” Mr Collett said.

The UFS has split the registration process into various categories of students and Mr Collett appealed to all students to adhere to the dates and times which apply to them as a one-stop service will be available so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2005 to study at the Bloemfontein Campus will take place from Tuesday 17 January 2006 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 23 January 2006.

Postgraduate students, first-time entering first-year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2005 must register at the Callie Human from 2 February 2006.

Late applications will be accepted until Wednesday 25 January 2006 at the Information Centre on the Main Campus’ Thakaneng Bridge. These applications will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places become available on the programme the student has applied for,” said Mr Collett.

Vista Campus:
The Vista Campus in Bloemfontein – which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004 – no longer accepts applications from first-year students. Such prospective students had to apply to the UFS Main Campus. Students who had been registered on the Vista campus last year must register at the Vista Campus on the same dates as applicable on the Main Campus.

Qwaqwa Campus:
At the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS, all first-time entering first-year students must report on Thursday 19 January 2006, after which the registration of these students will take place according to a specific programme. The official welcoming functioning for new first-years at the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS will take place on Saturday 11 February 2006 at 08:00 in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Mr Collett appealed to first-year students who have applied to study at the Qwaqwa Campus and their parents to attend this function which fulfils the same role as the one held on the Bloemfontein Main Campus.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website at www.uovs.ac.za. Prospective students may also call the Main Campus in Bloemfontein on (051) 401-3000 or the Qwaqwa Campus on (058) 718-5000 for more information.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
10 January 2006

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