A Day in the Life of the University of Pretoria. 30 May 1956

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the student newspaper, Die Perdeby, featured students of the Department of Home Economics, learning the craft of upholstering.

The photograph in the newspaper shows five female students working on upholstering furniture. The Department of Home Economics was founded in 1927 as part of the Faculty of Agriculture. Between 1925 and 1930 a local women’s organization under the leadership of Lady van Boeschoten, contributed £1,500 towards the opening of the department. Initially the department offered a BSc (Agric) degree, as well as a Diploma in Home Economics. In 1935 the degree B.Sc (Home Economics) was introduced.

The first lecturer Ms M.J. (Jess) Davidtsz took up the position in September 1927. In 1935, she was promoted to professor, becoming the first female professor at the institution. In 1946, the Department added a degree in Dietetics to its offerings. Today the Department of Consumer Sciences forms part of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and is housed in the Old Agricultural Building.

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