Dear Alumni and Friends of UCT,
 
By now you would have become aware of the news of the devastating fires that have being raging at your alma mater, the University of Cape Town. 
 
Yesterday morning (Sunday, 18 April 2021), a fire started on the mountain near Rhodes Memorial adjacent to the University of Cape Town (UCT).  Fanned by strong winds blowing in the direction of our main campus, the fire spread over the course of the morning and afternoon to various locations on UCT’s Upper and Middle Campus.
 
During the early afternoon, all students and staff were evacuated from campus by emergency services support staff and taken to hotels and other UCT residences, and where they received meals and temporary accommodation for the coming few days.
 
We do not know yet what the extent of the devastation will be but have already received heart-breaking news of residences (both Fuller and Smuts Hall) sustaining damage and a large section of UCT’s Jagger Library having been ravaged by the fire.
 
With winds dropping late in the afternoon (yesterday), the fire was brought under control on campus, although it continued to burn at various points across the mountainside surrounding UCT and in the direction of the city during the course of the night.  We are sharing with you an update that the VC provided to the UCT community and can only reinforce the call for support for your alma mater during this very difficult time: http://bit.ly/UCTFire
 
In light of the impact of the fire on the university’s buildings as well as the evacuation of residences, all academic activities have been suspended for today and tomorrow while these assessments and emergency plans are completed. As of this morning, UCT emergency teams are assessing student at all locations where students are being housed temporarily. These include arrangements for further accommodation, food, transport, data for connectivity and therapeutic support needs. A damages assessment team is also inspecting the campus currently to ascertain the full extent of damages to buildings and to put in place provisional plans for the resumption of classes and relocation of students back into accommodation. The university will provide further updates before midday on Tuesday.
 
How alumni can support UCT:
 
UCT is deeply grateful to all the donors and alumni who have come forward to supply food and other essential items for our students today, and to everyone who has so generously offered other forms of support and assistance. We thank all emergency services support staff who have worked with the University, City of Cape Town and SANParks, and send wishes for the swift recovery of four firefighters hospitalized for injury on duty fighting the fire.

There will be immense needs arising from this fire, both to help students and the wider UCT community in the immediate aftermath of this disaster.

 
Whether you are an alumnus of UCT, member of the wider Cape Town community, friend of the university or a philanthropic donor, please show your support for UCT and its students affected by this fire by giving or pledging now . You can also access the page link here: http://www.alumni.uct.ac.za/giving/ways-to-give

Donations can also be made in kind. Please contact either of the following team members at the Development and Alumni Department to find out what kind of donations are needed:
 
• Ahmien van der Walt at: Ahmien.vanderwalt@uct.ac.za
• Cindy de Oliveira at: cindy.deoliveira@uct.ac.za.

We will be providing regular updates on the fire on this page as the extent of the damage becomes known. 
 
UCT Development and Alumni Department