The 2024 UWC First-Years’ Orientation concluded with the inaugural First-Years’ Fun Day in the Cricket Oval on 9 February 2024.
This event saw over 2000 first-years participating in various fun events (volleyball, bubble soccer, horse race, chess, skipping, and other modified sports) organised by Sport Administration and the Student Sports Council.
Addressing the first-years, the UWC Director of Sport, Mr Mandla Gagayi, informed the first-years that there is more to the University than just going to classes. He encouraged them to use sports and other social activities on campus during their time as one of their ways to take their mind off the stresses of academic work.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Student Sports Council, Ms Sobahle Mabuza, said: “Seeing first-year students interact with student leaders, senior student athletes and staff was a beautiful glimpse of what the future of UWC community will look like should we continue building these internal relations. A true embodiment of Respice Prospice: to look back, to look forward - to take what is worthy from the past and build the future. This event has surely set the tone for 2024 and it is all our duty to ensure it continues to do so”.
All the UWC sports clubs were also out in full force to advertise their clubs to the first-years as well as engage them in fun activities specific to their sports.
Careers Service advised how to start planning their future from the first day of university by attending workshops for CV writing, interview skills, and other skills they will need when they leave the University.
Reflecting on this event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, said: “It was such a lovely sight to see first-years in their numbers responding to the invitation. The timing for the games was perfect - after a week-long orientation programme where they were getting to know the University and its faculties. There couldn't be a better way to end the week.”
“Student leaders did their part and set up their stalls. The response from the first-years was rewarding, and there was such a buzz around each stall. A hearty welcome for the Class of 2024. From here on, we are counting on the first-years to sign up for a lifestyle of success. We will be cheering as they make their first-year experience at UDubs synonymous with success.”
To close off the event, the SRC treated the first-years to a braai - which was much needed after a long week. Despite being the first event of its kind, it was an overwhelming success thanks to the organising team at UWC Sport and the student leadership structures in the Sports Council, SRC and Central House Committee. As the Director of Sports Administration, I am sure it can only get bigger and better from here.
This event saw over 2000 first-years participating in various fun events (volleyball, bubble soccer, horse race, chess, skipping, and other modified sports) organised by Sport Administration and the Student Sports Council.
Addressing the first-years, the UWC Director of Sport, Mr Mandla Gagayi, informed the first-years that there is more to the University than just going to classes. He encouraged them to use sports and other social activities on campus during their time as one of their ways to take their mind off the stresses of academic work.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Student Sports Council, Ms Sobahle Mabuza, said: “Seeing first-year students interact with student leaders, senior student athletes and staff was a beautiful glimpse of what the future of UWC community will look like should we continue building these internal relations. A true embodiment of Respice Prospice: to look back, to look forward - to take what is worthy from the past and build the future. This event has surely set the tone for 2024 and it is all our duty to ensure it continues to do so”.
All the UWC sports clubs were also out in full force to advertise their clubs to the first-years as well as engage them in fun activities specific to their sports.
Careers Service advised how to start planning their future from the first day of university by attending workshops for CV writing, interview skills, and other skills they will need when they leave the University.
Reflecting on this event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, said: “It was such a lovely sight to see first-years in their numbers responding to the invitation. The timing for the games was perfect - after a week-long orientation programme where they were getting to know the University and its faculties. There couldn't be a better way to end the week.”
“Student leaders did their part and set up their stalls. The response from the first-years was rewarding, and there was such a buzz around each stall. A hearty welcome for the Class of 2024. From here on, we are counting on the first-years to sign up for a lifestyle of success. We will be cheering as they make their first-year experience at UDubs synonymous with success.”
To close off the event, the SRC treated the first-years to a braai - which was much needed after a long week. Despite being the first event of its kind, it was an overwhelming success thanks to the organising team at UWC Sport and the student leadership structures in the Sports Council, SRC and Central House Committee. As the Director of Sports Administration, I am sure it can only get bigger and better from here.
