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Perdeby Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks
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year76issue 21
13 October2014
2014 Pot en Pons cancelled MICHAEL BONGANI REINDERS
Pot en Pons, which was set to take place on 18 October, has been cancelled. The office of the vice-principal student affairs, residence and accomodation made a decision on 17 September to cancel the event. The decision was made to call off the event after the DSA had been in communication with TuksRag and the Rag HKs. On 9 September the DSA communicated to TuksRag that Pot en Pons would continue but that there would be no alcohol in the punch. The DSA felt that the event led to alcohol abuse and that this is not in line with the university’s 2025 vision. The DSA said that the decision regarding the removal of alcohol from the punch was non-negotiable and that the residences would have to come up with alternatives for the punch that did not involve alcohol. There was immediate opposition to this by the Rag HKs and TuksRag, who communicated with the DSA requesting to discuss alternatives as well as showing their opposition to the decision. TuksRag had already put measures in place to reduce alcohol at Pot en Pons this year. Elaine Groenewald, one of the outgoing TuksRag EC, said, “We were deeply saddened when we were notified per email that Pot en Pons was cancelled, cancelled after we set in procedures to promote responsible drinking and create an improved Pot en Pons that would reflect sustainability and community engagement.” On 17 September Prof. N. Themba Mosia, the vice-principal student affairs, residence and accomodation, responded to a written request from former SRC president Enwee Human with a letter stating that he had , in his capacity as the executive member responsible for student affairs and residences, decided to cancel Pot en Pons altogether. Prof. Mosia said, “The essence of the event is clearly not aligned with the vision and mission of TuksRag, nor with the vision, mission, values and strategic priorities of the University of Pretoria.” He further said that “Providing entire festivals dedicated to the making and consumption of strong alcoholic beverages would defeat the University’s
Extracts from the letter by Prof Mosia.
What is Pot en Pons?
Olienthout and Curlitzia Pot en Pons stall 2012 . Photo: Staff photographer
efforts to encourage and promote a culture of responsible drinking.” Prof. Mosia also said in the letter that he and the University are open to discussion of constructive alternative student life events. It is not only residence students who have opposed the decision. AfriForum Youth chairperson Rochelle Oosthuyse said, “We don’t see why this tradition should be taken away.” DASO head of marketing and media Donovan Du Plooy said, “We are cognisant of the fact that the University is attempting to curb irresponsible behaviour among students. However, DASO Tuks feel as if the University simply steamrolled through with this issue,
without consulting any students.” Jasmyn Rag HK Sanchia Radford said, “Although we are saddened by the cancellation of Pot en Pons, as majority were, my fellow HK and I are trying not to see this as a stumbling block but rather as an opportunity, an opportunity to start new traditions.” The incoming chairperson of TuksRag Arthur Ndabambi said, “The cancellation of Pot en Pons is a great loss to student life at the University. However, the University has assured us [that] it remains open to discussion on alternative student life events.” A copy of Prof Mosia’s letter will be available on the Perdeby website.
Pot en Pons is a long-standing tradition at the University of Pretoria. It is an annual event, which is organised by TuksRag, that is held in the middle of October on the Rag farm. Each Rag partnership for the following year is required to build a themed stall and produce a potjie (pot) and punch (pons). There is no overall theme so the residences can choose whichever theme they want. Along with the theme, their stall has a DJ, as well as a place to dance and very often an activity. Each stall is then judged according to their theme, atmosphere, potjie and punch. The results of Pot en Pons determine the order of the Rag procession for the following year. The idea behind the event is for Rag partners to get to know each other and form bonds before they have to work together on the Rag float in the following year.