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House Imperium reigns supreme at 2025 Spirit Cup

28 February 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe | Photo Ben Zwane

In an electrifying display of varsity spirit, House Imperium emerged victorious in not one, but two prestigious categories at the 2025 FTEN Athletics Spirit Cup for first-time entering students (FTENs). House Imperium took home top honours for both Best Day Residence and Best Co-Ed Residence for War Cries, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with!

The Spirit Cup, an annual tradition that brings together students from various residences, is a celebration of camaraderie, creativity, and sheer enthusiasm. This year’s competition was fierce, with each house bringing their A-game to the table. However, Imperium’s unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion ultimately paid off.

“It felt fulfilling due to hard work and dedication from our members becoming fruitful in the end,” said an elated Dr Nokuthula Tlalajoe-Mokhatla, Imperium Residence Head. “⁠The most memorable moment other than receiving the two trophies was watching the Griffins’ (House Imperium team members) winning spirit grow and ultimately seeing how united they were during the course of the event.”

House Imperium’s victory in the Best Day Residence category is a testament to the house’s exceptional teamwork and coordination. Their energetic performances, coupled with their impressive display of house pride, left judges and spectators alike in awe.

The Best Co-Ed Residence for War Cries award was a particularly sweet victory for Imperium, as it acknowledges the house’s ability to come together and produce a truly unforgettable experience, even amid adversity. “The biggest challenge we faced during the Spirit Cup was maintaining consistent participation from our members,” Dr Tlalajoe-Mokhatla added. “As a co-ed residence that prioritises the safety of our community, it became difficult to keep everyone involved as the night progressed. Unfortunately, the number of participants dwindled, preventing us from fully displaying our unity. However, given our commitment to ensuring the safety of our students, we understood the need for this and respected the decisions made."

As Imperium basks in the glory of their Spirit Cup triumph, the house remains committed to upholding the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit that have defined their journey. “The definition of Imperium is ‘absolute power’, and with its motto ‘Dum spiro spero’ being a Latin phrase that means ‘While I breathe, I hope’, that has and does and will continue to fuel our spirit in everything that we do.”

With their impressive Spirit Cup wins, House Imperium has undoubtedly cemented its status as a powerhouse in the world of day residences. As house members celebrate their achievements, they inspire their peers to strive for excellence and embody the spirit of friendly competition that defines the Spirit Cup!

News Archive

#Women’sMonth: Men should help change narrative on violence against women – Prof Solomon

2017-08-23

The panellists at a discussion on Issues
Affecting Women at the UFS Sasol library were
Zane Thela, Head of the Gender and Sexual
Equity Office Programme, Pumla Mgobhozi, founding
member of Embrace a Sister, and
Prof Prof Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor in the
Department of Political Studies.
From the left, are: Thela, Mgobhozi, Prof Solomon,
and Betsy Eister, Director: Library and
Information Services.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

The fight to eradicate violence against women is one which men should be involved in. According to Prof Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS), men have to help change the narrative of physical abuse and sexual violence which they perpetrate against women and children.
“Let them (men who might be offended by the #men are trash) reject violent masculinities, and in the process let them redefine what being a man is about. Let fathers teach their sons that no means no.”

Panel discussion on Issues Affecting Women
Prof Solomon was part of a panel discussion on Issues Affecting Women, organised by the UFS library, in collaboration with the Gender and Sexual Equity Office and Embrace a Sister, as part of Women’s Month in the UFS Sasol library on 3 August 2017.
The other panellists were Zane Thela, Head of the Gender and Sexual Equity Office Programme at the UFS, and Pumla Mgobhozi, founding member of Embrace a Sister. Prof Solomon’s book Understanding Boko Haram, focusing on the kidnapping of 200 young women in Nigeria was also launched.

Don’t accept things as they are
Prof Solomon says that responses by the SA government have no credibility and a lot more could be done. “What is clear is that outrage alone will not end this violence.”
Even at SA universities there are many examples of how women are mistreated. “We need to ask: What more can we do as a university to assist these (female) students.”

According to Thela, it is sad that these issues are only talked about seasonally (like during Women’s Month).
Thela says people should raise their children differently in order to change the narrative. “Then men won’t think they have to prove themselves to women.”
And we shouldn’t accept things as they are: “The most dangerous statement in society is to say: ‘It has always been done this way."

Role of women in their fate
Mgobhozi emphasised that women have a hand in the way they are being seen and treated in society. She therefore asked: “What is the role of women in making sure that we dismantle patriarchy”.
According to her women, especially black women, should dismantle the status quo. She added that cultures and parents often influence the way women are seen.
“Women should fight these social problems together,” Mgobhozi says.

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