We had just completed an errand in Cavendish Square when suddenly the smoke from the UCT fire started to suffocate many around us. Keeping in mind the dark smoke, we went ahead in that direction. Not only because we were curious to see what was happening but because we wanted to help. As we got to lower campus, fellow students were scattered all over the main road after being evacuated from their respective residences. You could tell that anxiety filled the minds of many, including ours. He had the opportunity to just save himself by going home since he resides around Cape Town but he didn’t. He chose to save the lives of many. That in itself is a selfless act of this personal hero I speak of. His name is Sandile Setloholo Monoane. It is the little things that go a long way, and this was proof of that. He immediately made his way to join other student leaders in ensuring that students were transported and accommodated by the hotels provided. For that I specifically thank the UCT management, UCT SRC, EFFSC and many other volunteers who took their time to help out displaced students. To Sandile Monoane – I want to say thank you. Thank you for putting the needs of others before yours. Thank you for functioning with less hours of sleep to ensure students were accommodated, transported and fed. I am glad to have met you. You are a true inspiration and I hope you never get tired of helping others. You and exceptional and remarkable leader. You are a hero to many even though you work behind the scenes. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE PERSON YOU ARE SANDILE MONOANE.
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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.