RAG 2007 raised R1.3 million for SHAWCO last year, bang on target and well almost double the amount raised in 2006.

The main money spinners were the Big Bash (around R200 000), touted to be the biggest student party in the Southern Hemisphere, Sax Appeal (around R600 000, with 30 0000 to 34 0000 copies sold on Sax Appeal Day) as well as the Soweto String Quartet concert in Kirstenbosch (R50 000) and sales of the RAG diary to students (R200 000). The latter was sponsored by Nedbank.

"Essentially, all our projects were successful, meeting their targets," said RAG 2007 chair, Steve Preston.

They also secured close to R1 million in corporate sponsorships from Nedbank, Old Mutual, the V&A Waterfront, South African Breweries, Pick 'n Pay and the Peninsula Beverage Company.

"RAG 2007 has thrown down the gauntlet to RAG 2008 and challenged them to at least match if not exceed R1.3 million," said Spencer Fincham, vice-chair (marketing/public relations).