A Day in the Life of the University of Pretoria. 02 May 1918

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" TUC's Senate decided to change the language policy of the institution.

No educational institution can be separated from the community in which it functions and Tuks was no exception. It was unavoidable that the national turbulence caused by the language dispute would impact on the Transvaal University College (TUC) in that era. Although 75% of the students were Afrikaans-speaking, English was the language of instruction. Without formulating a clear policy with respect to Afrikaans as a possible additional language of tuition, the Senate decided on 2 May 1918 that it was not an option to persist with the current system of “English medium only”.The status quo gradually came under more pressure as anti-English sentiments grew among students. Pro-English Pretorians took to the streets to celebrate the end of the First World War in 1918 and Union Jack was everywhere to be seen. The actions of the rebel element among students stood in stark contrast, when one student, with an excess of youthful exuberance tore the Union Jack from a flag post on campus and set it alight in April 1919.

The University of Pretoria Archives (UPA) preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. The UPA has an extensive photo collection and clipping collection. Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or to access our collection.