College makes history: 106 years and counting

UP residences

College makes history: 106 years and counting

By Ayden Van As

In 1909, the then Minister of Education proposed the construction of student hostels on college and university grounds, and in 1912 a grant of R24 000 was approved to build the first such hostel in South Africa. Work on the first hostel at the University of Pretoria (previously known as the Transvaal University College) started in 1914, and in 1915 this hostel was ready to receive its first residents.

This first residence generally referred to as the ‘Hostel at the College’, eventually became Kollegetehuis—a name that was recently changed to College. Very few residences have flourished as College has in its more than 100 years of existence. The strength of this residence lies in its core values of respect and brotherhood. Respect for oneself and others plays a vital role in developing the unrivalled sense of brotherhood evident at College and inspires College men to become the best men they can be.

The rich history of College is preserved in its museum, where many newspaper articles, items of clothing from the past and mementoes are kept safe to be viewed by new and old College men. College residents take immense pride in their traditions, the most notable of which is the wearing of togas. In 1930, the University ruled that all students should wear suits to class, but since many students could not afford suits, College men decided to wear their bedsheets to class to demonstrate their objection to this rule. Nowadays, this tradition is maintained by first-year students dressing in togas for their annual concert.

In the 1980s, when College residents were moved to a new building on the Hillcrest Campus, they took a few of the larger rocks from the foundations of Old College and placed them near the entrance to the new building. It is a tradition that first-year students are not allowed to touch the rocks, which are known as ‘Die klippe’ (Afrikaans for the rocks). Second-year students are expected to take care of these rocks by repainting them every year and guarding them against being touched or stolen. Other exciting features of College include the King Court and the Victory Arch of Trajanus.

College is also one of the few residences that declared themselves republics. This happened in 1982 when the leadership decided to draw up a constitution to prevent the House Committee members from making significant changes to the residence without majority approval. Due to the residence’s status as a republic, members of the leadership are referred to by different names: The Head of Residence of College is the Appeal Judge; the House Committee is the Executive Council, and the Chairperson of the Executive Council is the State President of the Republic.

College has at least one mascot for each corridor in the residence. These mascots, known as sarges, have been obtained from various places over the years. The most popular of them, Sarge Social, is used as the logo because of College’s reputation as the most social residence at UP.

This article only touches on some of the rich history of College. If you see any students on campus, who can be identified by their clothing as College men, be sure to ask them for stories about College, which they will undoubtedly be keen to share.

Seniors spending time on ‘Die klippe’ The Museum of College

Contact information

E-mail collegeres1@gmail.com | @college_res | @college_res | @CollegeResidence Website www.up.ac.za/student-accommodation/article/2865337/college-residence

UP residences

The Executive Council of 2021 at the Victory Arch