Inaugural UCT Day – a special day of campus celebrations

Dear colleagues and students

I am pleased to invite all members of the University of Cape Town (UCT) community to join me in a special day of campus celebrations on upper campus – and beyond – on Friday, 6 October 2023. Our inaugural UCT Day, which will take place during UCT’s birthday month, is all about celebrating the essence of who we are, and the spirit of excellence and innovation that pervades our various activities.

UCT Day is for everyone. No matter where you are in the world – on campus, in a corporate office, on the continent or overseas – UCT Day is for and about you. We have an exciting schedule of in-person and online events planned, including team challenges on the day. Our UCT Day website will go live next week. This is where you will find information on the planned activities. 

We kick-start the UCT Day campaign by asking you to tell us what UCT means to you. The ‘I am UCT because…’ digital challenge has been launched on UCT’s official social media channels. Please do participate in this call because we want to hear your unique UCT story! On Friday, 6 October we invite you to:

1. Dress in UCT branded clothing, or in UCT blue
2. Round up fellow UCT alumni in your department, unit or place of work to take a group photo or video
3. Share your UCT story by participating in the ‘I am UCT because..’ virtual challenge
4. Post your videos or photos on social media tagging @UCTalumni, and using #CelebrateUCTDay
5. Amplify our call to support UCT students across your social networks too.

Fundraising in support of UCT students

UCT Day is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our collective commitment to UCT’s fundraising effort. For this to succeed, we need your active participation. We will run an eight-hour phonathon on UCT Day, inviting our alumni and friends to pledge their support to our students.

Please consider making an online donation to the four student fundraising causes below. You can choose a programme that holds special significance for you. All information on these fundraising projects, as well as donation links, will be available on the UCT Day website.

1. Student financial support, including fee debt
2. Student wellness programmes
3. Anti gender-based violence programme
4. UCT student food programme

Fun on the Green Mile

UCT Day will feature four main sports challenges in which teams, drawn from across the university, will compete against each other. Participation will levy a small fee which will go towards one of the above student fundraising projects. I encourage you to start forming your teams now for these activities and to extend a challenge to other faculties and departments who you think you can take on. I and other members of the leadership will be doing the same. Catch us on the Green Mile for an executive challenge that you will not want to miss!

Together, we constitute the vibrant essence of UCT. UCT Day offers us an opportunity to pay homage to our storied history, revel in our dynamic present, and collectively shape a promising future, underpinned by a spirit of giving.

For more information on UCT Day, please stay tuned to the official UCT communication channels and social media platforms. Don’t forget to sign up for the team activities, and challenge others to do the same.

I look forward to seeing you on upper campus on Friday, 6 October so that we can be reminded of the ties that bind us because “Together, we are UCT”.

Sincerely

Emer Prof Daya Reddy
Vice-Chancellor interim

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements