The quest to honour former leaders who have contributed significantly to the development of the region continued at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)-Bloemfontein Campus on 20 September 2018. This follows a successful unveiling and renaming of buildings that took place at the Welkom campus on 05 September 2018.

The ceremony was graced by all descendants of the late Ellen Kuzwayo, Petros Molemela and Bethuel Setai who thanked CUT Council for engraving their family names on the institutional memory of the university.

In his welcome address, Chairperson of Council, Cllr Boysie Phehlukwayo said that through the support of the Department of Higher Education and Training, the university managed to significantly reduce the infrastructure backlog on both campuses.  “The two phases of our infrastructure projects brought about six beautiful and state-of-the-art buildings, two of which are at the Welkom Campus, an additional five new buildings at the Bloemfontein Campus for on-campus student residence and academic infrastructure in the fields of Engineering, Health and Environmental Sciences and Teacher Education.”

“In her address, the Honourable Naledi Pandor, Minister of Higher Education and Training, said that she is honoured and privileged to join in the unveiling celebration and mentioned that the Department of Higher Education and Training firmly believes that quality infrastructure is a key ingredient towards success in higher institutions of learning.

“We are committed to ensuring that we have accessible, decent and safe buildings which will make studying stimulating and enjoyable for all students and staff within our institutions. Since 2007 government has invested 20 billion rands in infrastructure development at our universities throughout the country. A substantial share of this sum to the value of 1.3 billion rands has been allocated to the two universities that are hosted in the Free State province. Our support to CUT has resulted in the construction of the state-of-the-art buildings at both the Bloemfontein and Welkom campuses and today we officially unveil them. As the primary funder of infrastructure at public universities and TVET colleges, our government is also committed to ensuring that infrastructure is properly maintained and managed.”

New business formations are opportunities for young people to create new enterprises and take advantage of the digital revolution and start new web-based start-ups and become successful entrepreneurs. It is universities such as CUT that these things will happen. Real economic success comes from thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises that’s where you build a sustainable economy. We must encourage these enterprises in new technology sectors and in areas of development.”

“I am really pleased that this university has worked hard to develop its research profile and research capacities while also striving to produce quality innovators and entrepreneurs.

Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that the day is special in the history of CUT where a journey that started nine years ago is being celebrated.  He said, “the department has shown tremendous support to our needs and today we are going to witness those results.

Ms Boitumelo Kuzwayo, a grandchild of Ms Kuzwayo, described her grandmother a staunch believer of education who constantly encouraged other people to study and who was also leading by example. “My grandmother taught me to always teach people about history, to enrich minds, always strive for excellence and not to limit myself.”

Mrs Nthabiseng Sibanda, a daughter of Dr Setai represented her family and conveyed her sincere appreciation to the University for honouring her father and the Setai family. “As a token of appreciation to CUT, the Setai family will donate books and his autobiography to CUT library. We are happy that his legacy has been cemented with CUT forever.”

The Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela family was represented by the eldest son, Mr Philemon Molemela, who described his father as a hard worker who had the drive and passion to give, an entrepreneur at heart with little education. “My father had limited education but was the first black man to own a hotel, obtain a liquor licence, a contractor and the first to own a professional soccer team. He loved architecture and I believe that if he was here, he would be pleased to see the building named after him.”

Images

1.  From left: Prof. David Ngidi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Honourable Naledi Pandor, Minister of Higher Education and Training and Cllr Boysie Phehlukwayo, Chairperson of Council.

2.  From left: The Kuzwayo family, Cllr Boysie Phehlukwayo, Chairperson of Council (left), Honourable Naledi Pandor, Minister of Higher Education and Training ( 3rd from left) and Prof. Samson Mashele, Dean of Health and Environmental Sciences after unveiling Ellen Kuzwayo Building is housing the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences.

3. Setai family with the Minister of Science and Technology, Honourable Naledi Pandor, Minister of Higher Education and Training Registrar, Dr Nothemba Mrwetyana and Dr Gary Paul, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Resource and Operations.

4. The Molemela family happy after the unveiling of the Management Sciences Building that is named after Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela. With them is the Minister of Higher Education and Training, the Honourable Naledi Pandor (second row middle), Prof. Albert Strydom, Dean: Management Sciences (on the left side of the minister), Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Research Innovation and Engagement (second row right) and Cllr Boysie Phehlukwayo, Chairperson of Council (back row right).