Dear Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
I was devastated to hear this morning that vital parts of University of Cape Town historical premises have caught fire.
Please, allow me to express my compassion with you and your university.
I understand that the fire has devastated parts of your Jagger Library and some valuable collections have been lost. I am truly sorry for your loss both as a university colleague and as a IARU partner.
The library is in many ways the nerve of a university. The loss of which is not only a material one, but one which effects the whole identity of the university.
I hope, and trust, that you will quickly establish control over the fire without further damages to buildings and people. As a partner university in the IARU alliance, the University of Copenhagen is at your disposal in all matters where we can be of help.
I will watch the news from UCT closely through the next days, and hereby pass my sincerest best wishes to you and the evacuated students, staff and faculty.
Kind regards,
Henrik C. Wegener
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The Centre for Curating the Archive, in association with Michaelis Galleries (UCT) and UCT Libraries will stage a memorial exhibition marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic Jagger Library fire at the Michaelis Galleries. The exhibition will open to the public on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.
In an email to UCT students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“Thank you for your patience as we seek ways to return to full academic activity at the University of Cape Town under COVID-19 regulations. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of everyone who needs to return to campus buildings.”
UCT is deeply grateful to all the donors who supplied food and other essential items for our students, and to everyone who has so generously offered other forms of support and assistance.
Everyone who would like to support the #UCTFire emergency relief fund is urged to please make financial donations to UCT through the UCT Alumni Ways to Give web page.
Donations can also be made by EFT using the details below:
Account name: UCT Donations Account
Bank: Standard Bank of South Africa
Branch code: Rondebosch Branch, 025009
Account number: 07 152 2387
Swift code: SBZAZAJJ
Please include your donor name if you so wish, as well as the reference for your donation, e.g. Name Surname, #UCTFire.