REMEMBER AND GIVE
Authority Number 002-830 NPO
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
UCT RAG, PO Box 125, Rondebosch 7700
Steve Biko Students’ Union, Upper Campus
University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700
Phone: +27 21 650 3525/3654
Fax: +27 21 650 3527
uctrag@gmail.com
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.
UCT RAG Mission Statement
"Through its fundraising activities for SHAWCO, RAG aims to equip UCT students with the
fundamental skills, perspectives and experiences required to passionately develop their
careers such that they become leaders within an African context; always conscious of the
needs of their fellow citizens."
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 handto-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.