The renaming of multiple buildings at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has been officially endorsed by the UCT council. Deputy council chairperson Malcolm Campbell shared an update with the university community regarding the recent developments after a plenary meeting held on 17 June 2023.
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As reported by IOL, The committee responsible for suggesting building name changes, previously known as the Naming of Buildings Committee, will undergo a name change itself, following its recommendations to the council.
Campbell explained, ‘First, council approved changes to the terms of reference of this committee, including a change to the name of the committee itself, which henceforth will be the University Naming Committee given that its remit will extend to naming virtual spaces and not only physical buildings and spaces.
‘Virtual spaces have become an integral part of teaching, learning and research activities at UCT. The committee’s work will be informed by the African identity of the university, and by buildings, physical spaces and virtual spaces bearing names that create a more inclusive, diverse, multilingual and multicultural learning environment.’
The renaming of various buildings includes the following updates:
- The Geological Sciences Extension Building will be renamed the Properties and Services Administration Building
- The Anatomy Learning Centre will become the Khoesisoros Museum (which translates to ‘human body’)
- The Human Biology Learning Centre will be known as the Kusrusenhare Teaching Lab (meaning: building a human body)
- The Old Workshop Building in the Centre for Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies will be renamed Ephupheni (meaning: a place of limitless possibilities, time mutation and future dreaming)
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The council has given its approval for the name changes of the Arena Theatre, the Studio on Dance Campus and the Bindery Lab, but these changes are still subject to approval from the respective families involved before they can be officially announced.
The university has also introduced new members to its council, including the newly appointed council chairperson, Norman Arendse. Arendse, a senior advocate actively practising in Cape Town and Johannesburg, will serve in this role for the current term until 30 June 2024.
Having attained the designation of senior counsel in 1998, Arendse brings with him a wealth of experience. He previously served as a member of the UCT council, actively participating on its executive committee, and notably chaired the former Naming of Buildings Committee.
‘Council also elected Mr Arendse to the role of chairperson. Council is confident that given Mr Arendse’s track record and extensive experience in governance, legal matters and leadership roles in national sports structures in South Africa as well as in the law profession as the first black chair of the General Council of the Bar of South Africa, he will represent council and UCT very well in his role as chairperson,’ concluded Campbell.
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