UCT RAG O-Week INFORMATION SHEET
The UCT RAG calendar for the 2013 term is stretching from December 2012 until April 2013 and it consists of 7 projects - each run independently by a committee of dedicated RAG patrons- 6 of which occur during O-week. Each project has unique opportunities to offer those who choose to get involved therein.
The following is a breakdown of the 6 projects that UCT RAG plans to host during the 2013 Orientation Week.
Diaries: Monday 28th January- UCT Campuses and Residences
The UCT RAG Diary is the ‘must-have’ organizational tool for the students of UCT. It provides important information such as UCT dates, RAG dates, public holidays, international holidays and religious holidays, and a twist of fun-filled details including a possible ‘when in Cape Town’ page and a ‘101 thing to do before leaving UCT’ feature. The diary is the only product of its kind on Campus, it comes with a free year planner that serves as a daily visual reminder of the various activities one needs to have done, as well as the same dates mentioned in the diary. Other free products given out in the past issues include pens, rulers, and meal and clothing vouchers.
UCT RAG sells 4000 copies of the diary each year, establishing it as one of the tools that defines the UCT student. The UCT RAG diary will be available for distribution from Monday 28th January 2013 at parent’s orientation, UCT residences and plaza.
Rookies
Universities provide a substantial opportunity to acquire knowledge. Sadly, too often this knowledge is only theoretical and is not always useful for the working world. UCT RAG has identified this gap and through the RAG Rookies Programme aims to develop these skills putting our Rookies ahead of the average university graduate. Furthermore, UCT RAG, being a student run fundraising organisation, instils a sense of social responsibility and provides various avenues for academic support thus ensuring a well-rounded student.
In 2013 the Rookies programme will equip these Rookies with skills and abilities in marketing, advertising, corporate relationships, public speaking, and budgeting. Students will have the opportunity to sign up during plaza week at a cost of R200. Additionally we aim to retain them for future positions on the UCT RAG committee by exposing them to fundraising and making them more socially aware.
Springboks: Saturday 2nd February- Springboks Pub, Newlands
The Springboks project is the opening event for University of Cape Town’s orientation week. It aims to make a positive impression on the first years of UCT, what the university is about. It also aims to get them excited for their years spent at UCT. In the previous years the event has been restricted to the pub itself, which has an approximate capacity of 2500. In 2013 we plan to make this event bigger and better by adapting the 2012 event. We plan to close the street outside the pub, making it a street party too. This, not only increases the capacity to approximately 4500, but also it gives room for a concert stage where we plan to have prominent artists to attract students to fill the event to its capacity and give the first years the most amazing start to their time at UCT.
Beach Day: Sunday 3rd February- Muizenburg Beach
UCT RAG’s Beach Day is a day planned to gather, relax and soak up some of Cape Town’s beauty. Due to the timing of the event, so near the beginning of the UCT RAG calendar, the event gives students an ideal chance to get to know each other, do some bonding, while making friends that could be with them for the rest of their life.
The day itself consists of taking 1000 students on an express train ride to Muizenberg. On the beach in Muizenberg, students can spend the time playing ball sports, swimming, generally spending a fun day in the sun. In 2013 We plan to bring a new feel to the event by having a stage with live performances. This will aid in making the event more memorable as well as suit the atmosphere.
Rugby After Party: Monday 4th February- Side Show, De Waterkant
This event is the official after party to the first UCT rugby match. It is a new event that is being added to the O-week calendar for 2013. The event has been chosen to promote support of the UCT Rugby club, for this reason it is being planned in collaboration with the Ikeys club as well as the UCT Film Soc. The event will be held at Side Show- a club in the heart of Cape Town. The objective of the party is to keep the UCT spirit going after the rugby game while simultaneously introducing the students to the gems on the other side of the mountain. RAG aims to have approximately 1500 students at the rugby after party.
Mzoli’s: Tuesday&Wednesday 5th, 6th February, Gugulethu
Mzoli’s is one of the most anticipated events on the UCT RAG calendar. The event takes place at a ‘shebeen’ in the township of Gugulethu. Each year UCT RAG aims to create a safe environment for students, affording them a brief glimpse into one of South Africa’s, notably Cape Town’s, most vibrant and diverse cultures which is right on their doorstep. Added is the rare opportunity to soak up some of the local atmosphere. We also aim to create a platform where people of many backgrounds, races, and cultures can come together, be on the same level and share common interests.
The event itself entails a bus ride to the township, followed by an evening of local food and hospitality. All details are in keeping with local customs. ‘Nyama’ off the braai, ‘zamalek’ by the quart and local music talents, keep patrons entertained for the evening.
The target market for this event is focused on 1st year UCT students of which we plan to accommodate 1200 on each day. Our aim is to grow the event to accommodate more party-goers, in the safest possible manner.
SAX Appeal: Thursday 7th February, City of Cape Town
SAX Appeal Magazine is an annual UCT RAG satirical magazine, it is a student-published magazine sold to the Cape Town community. SAX Appeal Magazine is a leader in its field and raises over R750 000 for underprivileged communities.
SAX Appeal Magazine is currently sold in various areas including Central Cape Town, the Southern and Northern Suburbs, and numerous shopping centres within the regions. Each year SAX is sold by approximately 1500 UCT student, both in and out of the UCT residence system. The students are encouraged to dress to a theme and an unforgettable atmosphere is created.
Next year we have the objective of setting a world record of “Most Magazines sold hand-to-hand” next year, it seems incontestable that 2013 will see our largest readership to date.
Big Bash: Friday 8th February, UCT Upper Campus
One of the major fundraising projects for RAG is the Big Bash, one of the largest student-run music festivals in South Africa and a project that generates much of RAG’s contribution to SHAWCO. After a busy Orientation Week, the Big Bash serves as the perfect opportunity for students to have one last party before lectures begin. It is an event that causes much excitement amongst the students and has been described as one of the most remembered events at UCT.
In 2013 UCT RAG plans to bring the party back home and host the event on Jameson Plaza. This alteration will reduce costs as well as increase security and safety of the students present. We plan to host 4000 students and give them the ultimate end to the UCT O-week.