Prof Nalini Moodley-Diar.
The naming of buildings is the first of such drives at the University which forms part of an extensive naming and renaming process. This process is driven by the Naming and Renaming Committee, a sub-committee of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) of the University.
Prof Nalini Moodley-Diar, Executive Dean at the Arts Campus and Chairperson of the Naming and Renaming Committee, indicated that since its inception in 2015, the Committee has done sterling work and encouraged stakeholders and role-players to participate in the naming and renaming process.
“We have seen great support from staff, students, alumni and other TUT stakeholders who have participated thereby ensuring the extensive process comes to fruition. Thus far, four University building names were unveiled. Two buildings on the Arts Campus were named after South African creative giants – celebrated musician, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, and prolific artist, Gerard Sekoto. The famous Gencor Community Hall at the Soshanguve South Campus was renamed after a liberation stalwart Ruth First and building 17 at the Soshanguve North Campus was named Tswaing, which translates to a place of salt in Sesotho,” explained Prof Nalini Moodley-Diar.
She added that the imperative of recognizing South Africa’s heritage through renaming is very progressive and reflects the broader responsibility for TUT as the “people’s university”. “We have a moral duty to construct an identity for our buildings, social spaces and facilities that will be unique to TUT, thereby ensuring a strong sense of belonging for this very special institution. Renaming is fundamentally tied to the complex past of this country while also engaging what a transformed future might look like. If we understand transformation as an ongoing process, then the open call should be embraced by all stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to critically engage and recontextualise the narratives that tell the stories of our past, present and future,” Prof Moodley-Diar concluded.