On 31 January, the University of Pretoria (UP) hosted its annual Welcome Day at Hillcrest Campus, offering first-year students and their families a warm introduction to university life ahead of Orientation Week. The event was designed to welcome new students and create a space where they could engage with key university stakeholders and essential support structures.
First-year students, accompanied by their parents or guardians, gathered at Hillcrest Campus to receive a warm welcome from the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), the Student Representative Council (SRC), the Vice-Chancellor, and various student support structures. These included Academic Success Coaches (ASCs) and FLY@UP who play a vital role in guiding students through their academic transition.
From energetic cheerleading performances to Faculty Houses dancing to “Footloose”, Welcome Day 2026 proved to be a vibrant and memorable experience. The atmosphere reflected UP’s commitment to fostering a strong sense of belonging and community among its new students.
Alongside the Welcome Day proceedings, Khutso Manyaka, SRC President, delivered his first official address to first-year students. In his address, Manyaka emphasised the importance of student voices, leadership, and unity, encouraging first-year students to fully immerse themselves in campus life and to make use of the many support systems available to them. His message reinforced the SRC’s role as a bridge between students and university management, reassuring students that their concerns, aspirations, and experiences matter.
PDBY spoke to Dr Kgadi Mathabathe, Director of Student Affairs, who explained that her role focuses on the holistic support and development of students through co- and extra-curricular learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Life, she provides strategic oversight in key areas including student counselling, Student Health Services, student governance and leadership, student development and disability, as well as the FLY@UP programme. This initiative incorporates first-year orientation, institutional campaigns, and faculty-based academic success coaching.
Dr Mathabathe described Welcome Day as a significant occasion that officially welcomed first-year students into the university while creating a crucial platform for parents and guardians to engage with the institution. She pointed out that Welcome Day is the only opportunity for the university to interact directly with caregivers and to introduce them to the academic and support services available to students. Her standout moment of the day was hearing the Vice-Chancellor emphasise the importance of students engaging with the DSA, alongside the SRC President’s address, which reinforced UP’s inclusive and non-discriminatory culture and the importance of belonging.
Dr Mathabathe noted that UP distinguishes itself through its comprehensive, wrap-around support services, demonstrated on the day through support exhibitions, student-led structures, and immediate access to orientation resources. She encouraged students to use their independence responsibly, attend classes consistently, and seek assistance early. She emphasised that UP has invested in mentorship, academic success programmes, and counselling services to support both academic and social transition, concluding that at UP, the Finish Line is Yours (FLY@UP).
Over 14 stalls were set up across Hillcrest Campus, showcasing a wide range of student structures and services. These included Day Houses, Faculty Houses, student development units such as STARS and VITA, student committees, the DSA, FLY@UP, Student Health Services, the Student Counselling Unit, Career Services, Tuks FM, and many others. These stalls provided students and parents with direct access to information and support, stressing the university’s holistic approach to student development.
International student Gena from France shared her positive first impressions of the university. “So far, I find it welcoming to be here. I came all the way from France to experience South Africa firsthand, improve my English, and I would say that I am in safe hands here,” she said. First-year students actively participated in the festivities alongside their supportive families. Welcome Day also provided a platform for students to explore their academic interests and personal aspirations. One first-year student, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her experience of deciding on the direction of her degree. While her mother encouraged her to pursue an Actuarial Science degree, she chose to challenge herself by enrolling in Applied Mathematics, demonstrating the confidence and independence fostered by the institution.
PDBY also spoke to Arkim Mayida, Vice Chairperson for the STARS Mentorship Programme, who commented on his experience at Welcome Day. He shared that his initial expectation was simply to connect with students, but he ended up connecting with both students and their parents who openly gave career advice. Mayida also highlighted how fascinating it was to witness how open and collaborative different student structures and committees were with one another. He specifically noted that the event allowed him to gain a clearer understanding of what the Student Disciplinary Advisory Panel (SDAP) does, particularly in how the university handles matters such as student academic exclusions. “I got to learn [about] how they handle situations like student academic exclusions within [UP],” he said.
Welcome Day was not just a space to welcome students – it was also an opportunity to form new relationships and strengthen existing ones. More than collecting promotional items from stalls, the day emphasised connection, community, and belonging. By engaging with university leadership, the SRC, and various support structures ahead of Orientation Week, students began their university journey equipped with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of inclusion. To every UP student at the University of Pretoria and those still to join: welcome!
