History of Sisulu House
This residence was known "Hilltop 3" in 2011 and renamed to "Calata House" in 2012. It occupied 88 male students, but is now occupied by 87 female students and was given the name of "Hilltop House" again.
The residence was permanently renamed Sisulu in October 2015.
Sisulu House official naming and unveiling
Date Released: Wed, 14 October 2015 12:20 +0200
Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 had the pleasure of receiving members of the Sisulu family as honoured guests during an official naming ceremony of the new Sisulu House on Tuesday 13 October 2015. Students and members of staff gathered around the entrance of the residence for the auspicious occasion.
Opening the event and welcoming the guests, Swantjie Zschernack, Hall Warden said, “It’s always a great honour and pleasure to name a building. In giving this building the name Sisulu House, the students have made a big effort to make out what are the values that they want to stand for and embrace.”
On the final decision to name the residence after two great leaders in South African history, Hall Senior student and MC for the evening Nompilo Ngubane said, “What the Sisulu’s stood for embodied what we as a residence wanted to be. We are therefore very excited to have the Sisulu family here today, and we hope that we can uphold the values of the Sisulu family here.”
Max Sisulu unveiled a plaque officially naming the residence and serving as reminder to all as to the history and values embodied by the late Walter and Albertina Sisulu. Aphiwe Ngalo, Senior Student of Sisulu House proceeded to read out a pledge in which the residents of the newly named residence took it upon themselves to, “strive to honour and uphold”, their commitment to each other and the country in which they live.
“Thank you for the honour you have given us, in naming your residence after my family,” said Max Sisulu before introducing his wife, Elinor and son Shaka as well as members of their extended family. “As a family we would like to thank Vice-Chancellor Dr Mabizela for what is being done at the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 and for our country.”
Elinor Sisulu, took some time to share her thoughts on the naming thanking the students and 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 for their role in choosing the name of the residence. “It’s very easy to change names and there's a fervour in recent times about changing names, but often people don’t know what that name means and the values that are espoused in a name. We hope that this Sisulu House will be a welcoming place for all.”
Taking to the podium for the final words of thanks, Vice Chancellor Dr Mabizela proposed a vote of thanks to all those involved in organising the naming ceremony saying, “I wish to extend our
sincere gratitude and profound appreciation to the Sisulu family for allowing us the privilege of appropriating their name and their identity to name one of our residences.”
The event was concluded with a tour of the residence and a cocktail reception in the Desmond Tutu Dining Hall.
By Hancu Louw
Source:Communications and Marketing
Last Modified: Thu, 07 Dec 2017 10:36:46 SAST