A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 24 May 1969

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the first year female Physiotherapy students organized a walking race. The race was in aid of the first year Physiotherapy student funds.

The race followed a circular route starting in the afternoon at Fountains. Students walked a total of 20 miles (32.2km). The entrance for this 1969 race was 30 cents. The price for the first female and first male student was a camera.

Physiotherapy was already a part of the Pretoria Academic Hospital when the Faculty of Medicine was founded at UP in 1943. The 1948 polio epidemic placed great demands on the Physiotherapy division of the hospital and in 1950 a Pretoria School for Physiotherapist was founded to assit with training of candidates. The Pretoria School for Physiotherapist took in their first students in 1950. Initially the examining body of the School was the South African Medicine and Dental Council. By 1960 the Department of Education took over as the examining body and students was awarded a National Diploma in Physiotherapy. In 1980 the University of Pretoria decided to introduce a formal degree in physiotherapy. The first students enrolled in 1981 for the BPhysT degree and in 1984 thirteen ladies were awarded their degrees for the first time at UP.  

The UPA preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. We have an extensive photo collection as well as earlier copies of the Senate, Council and Faculty minutes. We also have an extensive clipping collection in our holdings, as featured here. Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or to access our collection virtually.