The plinth upon which the statue of Cecil John Rhodes sat, until it was removed in 2018, is to be renamed (or should that be “named”).
In 2018 Jameson Hall, the iconic building in the middle of the campus, was changed to Sarah Baartman Hall.
In 2021 the university Council approved a recommendation by the Naming of Buildings Committee to change the name of Smuts Hall, named after South African and international statesman Jan Smuts.
As Smuts Hall is situated on the upper campus, it was decided to call it in the interim the Upper Campus Residence until the process of determining a new name is concluded.
Vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng invited members of the university community to ‘participate in the process of renaming’ the residence and two other spaces at the heart of upper campus.
The two additional spaces are:
- The steps and plaza in front of Sarah Baartman Hall (currently Jameson Plaza). This part of the campus has been a gathering place for the university community for generations – from protests to graduation ceremonies, to social gatherings, festivals and meeting up with friends. This space, more commonly called “Jammie Plaza” is not officially called anything. It merely refers to geographic location.
- The plinth which was previously the location of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes. ‘This commanding location foregrounds Sarah Baartman Hall, the plaza and steps and the two residence buildings’, says Phakeng.
‘The naming of places and spaces at UCT is an important process, which we do not take lightly. These names need to reflect the values of the many different groups that make up the UCT community. Renaming buildings and places allows us an opportunity to respond to both the past and the future of UCT and to reflect and honour our diversity and inclusivity.’
[Photo: Sabine Marschall]