After more than two years of silence, the Piazza on the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Hatfield Campus came alive as the University hosted a ‘Welcome Back’ event on Monday 21 February 2022.

The festivities, which took place with COVID-19 protocols being observed, allowed students, most of them first-years, the opportunity to interact with the various support services available to students on campus.

The atmosphere was energetic as TUKS FM set the mood with a live broadcast from the Piazza and students engaged with organisations and societies including Career Services, SpeakOut @UP, the Department of Student Affairs, the Student Counselling Unit, TuksNovation as well as the Student Representative Council.

UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe and SRC President Thuto Mashila did a walkabout on the Piazza and took the opportunity to chat to and connect with the excited students.

Many of the students also used the occassion to take pictures with UP Vice-Chancellor Professor Tawana Kupe.

One such student was Naomi du Plooy, a first-year BIT Information Science student who said she is both nervous and excited about being on campus.

“It’s a little bit nerve wrecking because I am still trying to figure out where everything is, and I am trying to keep up-to-date with the online lecturing as well. I am so glad we’re allowed on campus this year. I wanted to study last year but I knew with the COVID situation it wouldn’t be possible to be here physically, so I hoped this year we’d be on campus, and here we are!” she said.

Chris Mahapa, a first-year BCom student, said he’s enjoying being on campus. “It’s a great experience because it’s something I have been looking forward to since I [started] high school. My hard work is what has gotten me here. I am also relieved because at the moment we’re all still encouraged to follow COVID regulations and this has made me feel safer,” he said.

Events to welcome students back were held at other UP campuses as well.