Sarah Baartman Hall renaming at the University of Cape Town highlights a long-awaited moment of remembrance, transformation, and recognition of indigenous heritage. Image credit: Jacques Stander / Gallo Images
(The Post News) – Sarah Baartman Hall officially took its place at the University of Cape Town on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, during a moving renaming ceremony. The event, which began at 2pm, represented the fulfilment of a long-delayed commitment to transformation and remembrance at one of South Africa’s leading institutions.
The following evening, on Thursday, 11 September 2025, UCT hosted a special colloquium titled “Honouring Sarah Baartman: Feminist Perspectives on Rights and Social Justice”. The gathering allowed scholars, students, and community members to reflect on the broader meaning of the renaming and to explore questions of justice, equality, and indigenous heritage.
Sarah Baartman Hall Renaming Celebrated at UCT
The decision to rename the university’s most iconic hall was first taken in December 2018, when the UCT Council resolved to replace the title of Jameson Memorial Hall with Sarah Baartman Hall. Although the change was delayed for several years by the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, this week’s events finally brought that decision to life.
For many, the renaming carried deep symbolic weight. Sarah Baartman’s life story, marked by displacement, exploitation, and eventual repatriation, stands as both a reminder of colonial violence and a testament to resilience. Born in the Eastern Cape in the late 1700s, she was taken to Europe, where her body was objectified and displayed.
Even in death, she was denied dignity until her remains were returned to South Africa in 2002. By giving her name to its most prominent building, UCT acknowledged that painful history while also committing itself to remembrance and healing.
Sarah Baartman Hall as a Symbol of Healing and Justice
Importantly, the unveiling of Sarah Baartman Hall coincided with South Africa’s Heritage Month and followed shortly after Women’s Month, adding further layers of meaning. The ceremony also formed part of UCT’s spring graduation season, linking celebration and achievement with reflection and accountability.
More than just a symbolic change, the renaming was seen as a call to action. It urged the university community to live out values of dignity, justice, and inclusivity in research, teaching, and service. The presence of Sarah Baartman Hall at the heart of the campus now stands as a lasting reminder that progress requires both remembrance and courage.
In the end, the historic renaming was both an honour and a responsibility. It honoured Sarah Baartman as a daughter of the land, a figure of resilience, and a beacon of hope. At the same time, it placed responsibility on the university to uphold the principles of transformation, healing, and ubuntu in every aspect of its work.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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