Summer School out of the blocks for 2013

A free lesson in isiXhosa during your lunchbreak? Yes, please! All this and more is on offer at UCT's Summer School, which launched its annual two week programme today.

Now celebrating its 63^rd year, Summer School, the only one of its kind in Africa, has become an institution for personal development and intellectual stimulation.

This year, the school has attracted over 2 000 attendees. Though the crowd is predominantly older, Summer School staffer Janet Small, says that there are also an encouraging number of younger people.

Over 50 courses are on offer in the form of lectures and workshops covering a smorgasbord of topics geared towards public education. Free daily events include isiXhosa language lessons and exploring digital citizenship. The latter forms part of an initiative by the Summer School to improve its social media and digital reach. Other highlights include a South African reading of Homer's Iliad, lecture-performances of Fanz Schubert's music, further insight into Great White Sharks and even an exploration of vampires in pop culture.

While some events are held off campus, the majority of the lectures and workshops will be held in the Kramer Building on Middle Campus.

UCT Summer School runs from 21 January - 1 February. For more information, visit: Summerschool website.