House Asterhof is a residence like no other!

UP residences

House Asterhof is a residence like no other!

By Jabulisile Zuma and Akudzwe Mhangami

House Asterhof! The first word that comes to mind is ‘Phenomenal!’. 95 years ago, Asterhof became one of the first significant representations of women as multifaceted beings who, in this context, can academically achieve excellence and compete in a global space.

When the residence was established by the University of Pretoria, it became a beacon of hope for many women, as it was the first women’s residence created at the University of Pretoria. House Asterhof’s annex, Vergeet-My-Nie (VMN), opened its doors in 1926. It was then known as Dames Tehuis. The students soon called it ‘Die Fant’, referring to the proverbial ‘white elephant’, as they thought there would not be enough ladies to fill such a big building.

A miracle occurred in the 1950’s when Asterhof and ‘Die Fant’, after being rivals for many years, merged into one residence known as House Asterhof. The building formerly known as ‘Die Fant’ was renamed Vergeet-My-Nie (literally: Forget-Me-Not).

Now, more than 90 years later, close to 300 ladies occupy both VMN and Main Building. In 2013, Main Building was officially renamed as Forever Yours (FY), to remember our proud history as the oldest ladies’ residence and the only residence with two buildings. Asterhof has, over the years, become a home for those who aspire to be more than what the world has historically told women they could be.

Asterhof seeks to create a home away from home, where a formidable sisterhood is formed and where an environment that facilitates and encourages the holistic and optimum development of our young women in residence is embraced. An environment in which women understand the remarkable ability they have to be the leaders and changemakers of our world. It is already folk legend that we are home to future stars.

In the famous words of Tata Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful tool, you can use to change the world’.

Asterhof celebrates that tool by providing a home for women who have chosen to be educated so they can become the next generations medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, social workers, and historians. Amongst many strategies, we have created an academic mentorship system, which is targeted at assisting those who may be struggling to cope in certain subject areas, in order to support them and ensure their success.

Our residence not only caters for academic excellence, but fosters an environment that allows for personal growth. We teach values of dignity, discipline, and diversity, and the spirit of standing tall, facing and conquering adversity. Through traditions such as ‘Hope week,’ we gather as young women in the residence and ignite hope within one another by sharing our dreams and goals, inspiring individuality and confidence within the women in residence, and reminding one another that what we hope to achieve is possible.

The establishment of committees in residence to assist the House Committee has also been a platform in which women in residence who do not serve in the House Committee can serve, contributing to the development of their leadership skills. These different spaces simultaneously allow for the development of camaraderie amongst the women in residence and gives them an opportunity to create lifelong friendships.

Asterhof carries generational sentimental value—young women born today will grow up to know of a residence that showed women it is possible to become whoever you aspire to be.

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Asters competing in the 2018 “Step it Up” show in which they placed first. Semi and Senior ‘Painting the Blad’ day

Sterretjies participating in the 1nSync competition Corridor Games Night at the residence

Our annual Miss and Mr Asterhof is a highlight event Asters participating in the TuksRes Athletics Met