UP Rag: A day of hope

by Aleksa Kruger | May 21, 2024 | Uncategorized

On 4 May, the University of Pretoria hosted its annual Rag of Hope Day festival from 07:00 to 18:00 at the Rag Farm on Hillcrest campus. The event showcases the university’s charitable spirit and commitment to helping the greater community. This year’s theme was “Kindling Spark”, with the gathering to assist charities being compared to the communal feeling of gathering around a campfire.

Rag is not just a fundraising event but also a platform where various student-run organisations, societies and residences unite to raise funds for a charity organisation of their choice. The ultimate goal is to provide essential support to these charities. In a true testament to Rag’s goal to give back, the entrance fee for Rag was an item of non-perishable goods.

The event featured food stalls, games and crafts. A highlight of the day was the UP’s Got Talent competition (UPGT), hosted in conjunction with the Student Culture Organisation. UPGT selected the top 30 applicants to showcase their unique and enthralling talents. Performances included singing, instruments, dance and movement, and poetry. The winner would perform as a special showcase at this year’s Step It Up finals.

PDBY spoke to Sonia Naicker Raghuber, winner of UPGT and a first-year information design student. Raghuber performed a dazzling dance piece in which she blended traditional Indian dancing with a modern hip-hop flair (all while in heels). Raghuber shared that she was delighted to have the opportunity to present her dancing on such a platform. She shared that she loves the stage and is honoured to be able to perform for a crowd of her peers.

Rag was originally set to be hosted on 24 February but was delayed by the faculty protests that occurred at this time. Given the delay, Rag organisers were initially concerned about the function’s turnout, as the academic year is significantly more intense further into this semester and many students are less inclined to attend social functions. However, the organisers were generally pleased with the day’s outcome.

Dino Rodrigues, deputy chairperson of the Law House committee, commented, “Rag was a lot of fun. It allowed me to interact and engage with people from different structures and residences. We played a lot of different games, including touch rugby, 5-a-side soccer, tug of war and more. Everyone was super creative with what they were selling, and it was definitely a day to remember!”

Christiaan Hollander, a representative of the STARS Mentorship Program, also noted, “Rag was a good way to engage with residences and structures through creativity and fun. As the STARS structure, we came there not knowing what to expect, but through our teamwork and commitment we came out on top.”

Rag Day at the University of Pretoria lit up hearts and minds with its theme of “Kindling Spark”, igniting a fire of generosity and community spirit. Despite delays, the event shone bright, uniting students, staff and organisations in a passionate drive for charity. From talent showcases to fundraising, it was a day of unity and giving back. As the day drew to a close, it left a lasting glow of hope and solidarity, highlighting the power of collective action to change lives.

Aleksa Kruger
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