A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 23 June 1967

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the student newspaper, Perdeby, featured the Tukkie Engineering society unveiling their new mascot.

Perdeby June 1967 © UP Archives

Students duped the new rocket Laika, after the first dog that travelled to space. This rocket, replaced the first, a coffin, Laika. The coffin however disappeared and rumor had it that it was taken to Experimental farm residences. The rocket version of the mascot was first envisioned and built by the “Rocket Club” in die 1966 Rag procession. Students claimed that the 15 feet rocket would be able to reach 3000 mile per hour. At the launching ceremony on Church square the public waited in great anticipation for the launch. This was however met with disappointed as students merely lit a small bottle of handigas only making a weak popping sound with no launching. The new mascot Laika II, the restored version of the first rocket featured on this day, was unveiled on 14 June 1967.

The University of Pretoria Archives (UPA) preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. The UPA also has a complete print collection of the Perdeby (PDBY). Please contact us on [email protected]  to share your memories of Tukkies or access our collection virtually.