Page 53 - Thetha Issue 6

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Making Madiba Proud

Naming and renaming a project worth gold

Famous names and faces are an integral part of the country’s historical landscape

By Gillian McAinsh
July 2022 marked the fifth anniversary of the renaming given a name that resonates with their purpose. Hence
of the institution from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Building 35 in the Faculty of Humanities will be renamed
University to Nelson Mandela University. after Gqeberha actress Nomhle Nkonyeni and Building
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa 13 in the Faculty of Sciences will become the Katherine
launched the celebratory moment with a call to action for Johnson Building in honour of the NASA mathematician.
introspection and reflection on what this name means. Likewise, many buildings known by their function will
It has been a remarkable five years, including gain meaningful new names, such as the Law Service
not only the launch of an Ocean Sciences Campus Building which will be renamed Dulcie September. On the
in Summerstrand, and a new Medical School on the George Campus, residences and other spaces are named
Missionvale Campus, but also a massive organisational after similarly well-known figures such as the late Johnny
redesign and the launch of the University’s strategic Clegg, Reeva Steenkamp, Fatima Meer and George Bizos.
Vision 2030. The kick-off event in September launched a year-long
This time has seen the structure of the University series of engagements across faculties, schools, entities,
move towards an increased focus on engagement and units, and the in-between spaces.
transformation, setting up a new Engagement and These commemorations aim to not only reflect on
Transformation Portfolio with a status equal to other bearing the Mandela name, but to catalyse deeper
core academic missions of Learning and Teaching, and discussions. After all, the significance of the name
Research and Innovation. goes deeper
At the same time, an ongoing Naming and Renaming than switching from referencing a geographical area
programme is symbolically signalling the University’s in the Eastern Cape to commemorating an influential
commitment to transformation in naming places, spaces public figure.
and buildings that enhance the Mandela name and As the only university in the world to be named after
entrench its growing intellectual identity. the late President Nelson Mandela, the University is
Part of the celebration therefore saw Phase 2 of the mindful of the responsibility to promote social justice and
programme that started in 2017 by renaming Gqeberha equality while also contributing to long-term sustainability.
campus residences, with an additional 41 names of It gives further impetus to institutional values such
buildings across all seven University campuses unveiled. as ubuntu, social justice and equality, and environmental
Instead of being known by number, buildings will be stewardship.
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