SRC wants UCT’s Smuts Hall men’s residence to be renamed

A SUBMISSION by the UCT Student Representative Council (SRC) to have the Smuts Hall men’s residence renamed has been forwarded to the university council to give it the nod.

Students made the proposal last month supported by residence stakeholders for a change to “a more suitable name”.

Founded on January 1, 1928, the men’s residence took Smuts’s name after his death in 1950.

Smuts, UCT’s chancellor, was also a former prime minister of South Africa.

Buildings that have been recently changed include the JP Duminy (Jacobus Petrus Duminy, UCT former principal and vice-chancellor) residence, renamed to Philip Kgosana residence after the Struggle stalwart; and the Health Sciences Library to Bongani Mayosi Health Sciences Library in honour of the scholar.

SRC residences and housing officer Ukhanyo Mdakane said part of transformation was addressing the colonial, imperialist and racist legacy of Smuts that remained unchallenged.

“Much contention has been raised around the naming and character of Smuts Hall.

“One must note that in many ways, the title of a place contributes to the character of its inhabitants.This has seen itself made manifest in the sort of students who are usually found in Smuts Hall.”

Mdakane called on the council to take an “ethical position” to support the name changing of Smuts Hall to a representative name that is in line with the direction UCT aspires to.

SRC president Declan Dyer said they welcomed the progress made since the submission was made.

“As it stands, the submission has been considered and endorsed by the Naming of Buildings Committee (NOBC), who have recommended that the name be changed to council. In addition to the NOBC, the submission from the SRC has received support from several committees and forums, including the University Student Affairs Committee.”

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the institution would provide a formal update on the matter once the council had considered it.

“UCT has noted public statements on the possible renaming of a residence at the institution. As with all renaming proposals at UCT, the matter has to follow the existing process through the university’s Naming of Buildings Committee.”

Moholola said that under normal circumstances, there would have been renaming ceremonies for the buildings that were recently renamed, but due to Covid-19 this had not been possible.

“We are still hopeful we will have the ceremonies when circumstances permit.”