The Naming and Renaming Committee recommended that “Building 21”, which houses the administration hub at the Pretoria Campus, be named Dinokeng - a place of rivers. Following Councils approval of the name in 2017, the legal rights had to be obtained to use the name. The journey to name and rename buildings and to identify such buildings, started a few years ago. It is pleasing to see this long-term project unfold in such a beautiful manner.
“Naming and renaming facilities at all our campuses is central to our transformation agenda. If all stakeholders participate, we will be able to reflect as accurately as we can, what this great people’s University personifies and embodies,” says Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
In September 2021, two buildings on the University’s Arts Campus were named after South African creative giants – celebrated musician, Winston Mankunku Ngozi and prolific artist, Gerard Sekoto.
Additionally, the well-known 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 “place of salt” in Sesotho.
Prof Maluleke says that the renaming of these spaces is an important process, in that it helps to deal with the past and work towards an inclusive future. “These changes matter significantly, they reflect the values of the many different groups that make up the TUT community,” said Prof Maluleke.
- The University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, now calls on colleagues, students, alumni and other stakeholders to contribute and participate in the next phase of the renaming process, which will commence in 2023.