UCT Day 2024: Special day of celebrations and supporting our students

Dear colleagues and students

In the spirit of ubuntu, that is ‘I am because you are’, I invite you to participate in the special events and initiatives in celebration of the UCT Day 2024 season as we endeavour to unlock the generosity of spirit within and for the University of Cape Town (UCT).

We are once again taking the time to reflect on our heritage, the legacy of those who came before us and who have left us this world class institution that we enjoy today, and the responsibility we have to create a lasting legacy for future generations. Our UCT Day 2024 fundraising celebrations will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the stature of UCT as a symbol of hope for the nation, the continent and the world; and how our sense of humanity is expressed in the support we provide to our students, the next generation of leaders in society, and our very hope for humanity.

Building on the successful inaugural events of 2023, UCT Day 2024 will again be commemorated through a series of fundraising events and initiatives throughout October 2024, during the university’s birthday month. These initiatives commenced with an ongoing phonathon which runs until 2 October, and will see us host a special benefit concert on 3 October. The commemorations will culminate with on-field sports challenges and an alumni book and film festival which will be held on 25 October 2024. All of these activities provide an opportunity to come together to celebrate the vibrant spirit of UCT, and to unite behind initiatives set up to support our students.

UCT Day is for everyone – whether you are a student, staff member, alumnus, donor, contractor or friend of UCT. It is about uniting our diverse, global community around a shared passion and purpose – our students’ success. UCT Day 2024 is about securing their futures. It’s about giving back and is a time to harness the power of collective action.

This UCT Day, let’s channel our power towards fundraising in support of critical student initiatives. Because wherever you locate yourself within the UCT ecosystem, each of us understands the challenges that compromise student success. Today, I am asking for your support and your generosity in helping us ensure a pipeline of leaders, innovators, pioneers and change-makers.

I invite staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of UCT to donate towards:

1. The Unlocking Futures Bursary Fund to alleviate historic debt. Student debt is a heavy burden, holding back talented students from realising their dreams. It can prevent them from graduating and entering the workforce to make their mark in the world.
2. The UCT Food Sovereignty Programme to combat food insecurity on campus. Hunger is a disruptor. It can rob students of the focus and energy they need to succeed in their studies, affecting their academic journey.

When you purchase a ticket to any of the UCT Day campus fundraising activities, you will change a young person’s life. From as little as R50 per ticket, you will become a donor, a supporter and a champion to at least one UCT student in need. Working together in this way, we can continue to build a stronger, more compassionate UCT community. This UCT Day, I am challenging you to show ubuntu and pledge your support through any of the following:

• The UCT Day Benefit Concert will kick off the series of in-person events on the evening of Thursday, 3 October. It will be headlined by the renowned Professor Dizu Plaatjies, the head of African Music at the South African College of Music. Professor Plaatjies, who will retire in December 2024, has chosen to use his final campus concert to perform with industry friends and current students in support of the UCT Unlocking Futures Bursary Fund. Let’s show our appreciation by filling the Baxter Theatre Concert Hall. All ticket proceeds will be applied to this fund to help our students graduate. Tickets are available online.
• The Alumni Book and Film Festival, scheduled for Friday, 25 October, will showcase established and emerging UCT alumni authors and filmmakers. Purchase your ticket to the ‘In Conversation’ style discussions and film screenings to take place throughout the day at the Kramer Law Building precinct, hosted in proud collaboration with Exclusive Books, Sunshine Cinema and the EMS Summer School. Ticket proceeds will be applied to the UCT Unlocking Futures Bursary Fund.
• The UCT Day Cycle-athon and Row-athon will also take place on Friday, 25 October together with outdoor activities for everyone. In the meantime, you can sign up your teams for these sporting challenges intended to drive funding for the UCT Food Sovereignty programme. Make your pledges to back your winning team.
• The UCT Day Phonathon got underway on 16 September, with 15 UCT student callers running a dedicated call centre to raise funds for both programmes. Our UCT Day call centre will run until 2 October, from Monday to Thursday (18:00–20:00) and on Saturdays (09:00–13:00). If you would like to assist our student callers, please contact the phonathon team. If you are a UCT alumnus, please answer the call from our student volunteers when they contact you and, encourage others across your network to do the same!

For more information on the global series of UCT Day events, please stay tuned to the official UCT communication channels as well as our social media platforms. The full schedule of UCT Day 2024 activities, including links to event tickets, is available on the official UCT Day website.

I invite you to join me at UCT Day 2024. Let’s make this UCT Day season one to remember. Let’s rally behind the many activities planned over October. Most importantly, let’s invest in our students’ dreams, and demonstrate through our collective action that “Together, we are UCT”.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements