University of Pretoria

The foundational Years of the University of Pretoria were welcomed with great turmoil. In 1889, the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) proposed that a University be established.

By 1899, the South African War had broken out between the ZAR and Britain. In 1902, after the 'Peace Treaty of Vereeniging' was signed, there was a time period of relative stability which allowed the first semblance of a University, to open its doors in 1908. In 1910 the Union of South Africa was declared and in 1914, the First World War broke out with the Great Depression of 1929, further complicating the fledgling Years of; the University of Pretoria.

The Pretoria branch of the Transvaal University College (TUC) was the forerunner of the University of Pretoria. It commenced its activities in 1908 with a staff of four professors and three lecturers. Thirty-two students enrolled for courses at the first campus: 'Kya Rosa', a House in the centre of the Pretoria. The University of Pretoria became a fully fledged University in 1930. The name 'Tuks'- for the University of Pretoria- derived from the acronym for the College, namely: 'Transvaal University College'. In the Years preceding the South African War (1899-1902) there was much discussion in the Volksraad of the ZAR, regarding the establishment of a University. These plans were interrupted by the outbreak of the War. In 1902 the Normal College for the training of teachers was established in Pretoria and in 1904 the 'Transvaal Technical Institute' opened in Johannesburg with an emphasis on Mining Education. Classes were also offered by the institute in Pretoria. In 1906 the institute adopted a new name: 'The Transvaal University College' or TUC. In 1908, University classes began in Pretoria in the Arts and Sciences as part of the TUC, with its seat in Johannesburg. The first four professors were: Prof H. Th. Reinink (Dutch); J. Purves (Scottish); A.C. Paterson (Scottish) and D.F. du Toit Malherbe (South African). Classes began in Kya Rosa which was a house in Skinner Street. On the 4 March 1908 the Transvaal University College (TUC) became known officially as: the Pretoria Centre of the Transvaal University College. Kya Lami, in Schoeman Street, was used as a men’s residence for students and lecturers.

On 17 May 1910, the TUC in Pretoria became an independent institution apart from the Johannesburg institute, which became known as 'the South African School of Mines and Technology'. The TUC acquired its own campus in the East of Pretoria. The cornerstone of the Old Arts Building was laid by Governor General Gladstone on 3 August 1910 and in September 1911 the TUC moved into the Old Arts and the Old Chemistry buildings. There were 7 professors, 6 lecturers and 62 students.         

In 1914, the College Men’s Residence was built. Then in 1917 the establishment of the Faculties of Agriculture and Theology. In 1918, the establishment of the Faculty of Law followed in 1919, with the Faculties of Arts; Natural Sciences; Trade and Public Administration and Veterinary Science. In 1920, the TUC acquired the Experimental Farm and in 1926 the first official Ladies Residence-'die Fant' (today 'Vergeet-my-nie') was constructed.         

Many student activities originated in the founding Years. The first Student Council was founded in 1909. 'Rag' started in the early 1920's and the first Rag Queen was crowned in 1929.  With sport facilities on the Hatfield Campus (where the Musaion and Aula are today), students could participate in various kinds of sport such as; rugby, netball, hockey and tennis. -( Authored by the UP Archives)

The University of Pretoria Museums manages, conserves, curates, and interprets a diversity of museum collections and associated archives that are held at various university locations. Key museum collections are publicly displayed in two historical buildings on the
Hatfield Campus are the: 'Old Arts Building (1910) and the Old Merensky Building (1937)'. These university museum collections are iconic, since they are unique and valuable, comprising a vast art collection, ceramics from southern Africa, and signature ceramics from around the world. Collections include South African sculpture and the iconic Mapungubwe Collection, a declared national treasure of South Africa.

"To honour our 110-year history and 30 years of democracy, recent years have focused on wider, more inclusive public engagement, digital access and better access for the disabled to these heritage collections beyond academia. The UP Museums first and foremost serve as a professional service internally for the University of Pretoria, and for society to engage with art and to appreciate UP as a steward of some of South Africa’s finest collections. The museums continue to support academic training, research, and teaching drives, yet increasingly strive to improve, expand, and contemporise the university museums which are a great social responsibility! The UP Museums have also launched the UP GLAM initiative, which is a first in South Africa and is collectively working with internal partners such as Alumni Relations and UP Campus Tours in promoting UP’s Galleries/Gardens, Libraries, Archives, and Museums. This is futurising the UP Museums and the impact they have on society. These Museums of the University of Pretoria offer a variety of guided tours, including: 'An introductory one-hour museum tour; School tours; Mapungubwe exclusive tours; Conversational tours; Sculpture route tours: Researchers and visiting scholars tours; Bespoke UP Alumni GLAM tours; Corporate tours and UP staff orientation tours.' Each tour has a different focus and duration, and some require a fee. Booking a guided tour will give you a more comprehensive understanding of the collections, and you can tailor your tour to your interests! It is essential to make a booking for a tour of the University of Pretoria Museums to ensure that your visit is well-organized and that a guide is available to show you around. To make a booking, (please look for the LINK in FURTHER READING) and provide your preferred date and time of the tour. You should allow for about two working days to schedule and confirm your tour. 

The University of Pretoria Museums are a unique and valuable cultural institution in South Africa. The museums house some of the University’s most valuable and unique collections, making it an iconic destination for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the region. The museums’ focus on wider and more inclusive public engagement, digital access, and better access for the disabled to these heritage collections beyond academia makes it an exceptional cultural and educational experience. So, if you’re looking for a place to appreciate art and history, make sure to add the University of Pretoria Museums to your itinerary!"