The weekend of 21 to 23 July started with a bang when De Wilgers’ Timmies rugby team beat the first team from Ratau on Friday by 24-21. That evening the alumni told stories – one more hair-raising than the previous one – about their university days while gathered around the fire in the boma of the residence.

 

On Saturday, everyone joined a tour of the university’s archive, after which the men watched some rugby. During the evening’s function, Prof Hendré Reyneke and Prof Hans de Ridder, both former housemasters, joined by former house committee members, chatted to the alumni. The current housemaster, Dries Marais, had his turn on Sunday after breakfast before the alumni made their way back home.

 

Socialising in the Lowveld

 

A week later it was pure Lowveld joy when NWU friends came together at Umbali in Nelspruit (Mbombela) on 28 July 2017.

 

Around 50 guests, including alumni, parents of current students and other friends of the NWU, celebrated and strengthened proud NWU ties.

 

Apart from socialising they also listened to Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, the deputy vice-chancellor of the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, who told them how the university is doing.