The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Student Governance and Development unit in collaboration with Student Housing and Residence Life recently hosted a Rag Day for first-year students. In Durban the event was held at Curries Fountain stadium, and for Midlands campuses students, the event was held at the Sports Centre, Indumiso Campus.

DUT staff and students at the Rag Day.

The theme of the event was “Come ye crazies, it is all about Rag”, it was inspired by the 2023 State of the University Address delivered by DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. The event started at 06h00 where students and staff participated in various fun games such as war cries, dare games, aerobics and the fashion show.

The event was aimed at exposing first-year students to the DUT community and its surrounding. The main purpose of the Rag Day was to raise funds from internal and external stakeholders which will be donated to DUT projects that support disadvantaged students. These projects are Phakimpilo, Masifunde Sonke and other projects.

Mr Andile Masuku, Student Development Officer gave insight on what they were trying to achieve with this event.

“We saw a need to have such an event as we want to assist our students with food security, it is very saddening to learn that there are students in the residences who go to bed with an empty stomach. The funds that we raised will assist those students from destitute families to have a meal,” he stressed.

Masuku believed that the event was a huge success, judging by the number of students who attended the event and the level of participation from both students and staff.

“We had fun with students and this type of engagement is what brighten my teeth further. We want to plant a seed to all DUT students to have fun while they are at DUT, as much as the main goal of being at DUT is academics, I urge all students to participate. We wanted to bring life and campus life to all DUT students and they wanted to make the campus vibrant,” said Masuku.

Pictured: ( L-R) Student Governance and Development Manager: Mr Masiza Ngculu, Club and Societies Officer, Ms Kholeka Mfeka, Students Development Officer: Mr Andile Masuku, SRC Project Officer: Ms Nonhle Dlamini and Dean of Students: Dr Clement Moreku

Photographer: Siya Dlamini.

Lethukuthula Ngubane