Get ready for a weekend of grandeur and celebration as Sol Plaatje University (SPU) prepares to commemorate a decade of excellence during the Annual Sol Plaatje Memorial Weekend, scheduled for 6 and 7 October 2023. This historic event coincides with what would have been Solomon T. Plaatje’s 147th birthday on 9 October, making it an even more meaningful celebration of his legacy.

Day One: A Decade Unveiled

The event kicks off on Friday, 6 October with the Naming of the Yunus Ballim Square and the presentation of a portrait to Professor Yunus Ballim, Founding Vice-Chancellor and Principal of SPU. This memorable event will be followed by the Annual Sol Plaatje Lecture where Justice Edwin Cameron, Former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, will give the keynote address. The day will conclude with a Founder’s Dinner – an elegant evening of celebration and inspiration.

Day Two: Wisdom and Celebration

On Saturday, 7 October, join us for the Chancellors’ Forum: Seminar, where insightful discussions will take centre stage. Explore topics like Students’ Mental and Physical Wellness and the Student Fees Crisis in South Africa, featuring prominent speakers and engaging discussions.

The Annual Standard Bank Chancellor’s Golf Day takes place at the Kimberley Golf Club, where sporting prowess will be on display with the goal of raising funds for the Chancellor’s Bursary Fund. The day concludes with a prize-giving ceremony and a cocktail dinner.

Be Part of the Celebration

While the events are by invitation only, the general public is invited to watch the Annual Sol Plaatje Lecture and the Chancellors’ Forum online via the SPU YouTube Channel, offering everyone a chance to be part of these historic celebrations.

Follow us on social media for updates on the Annual Sol Plaatje Memorial Weekend – a weekend destined to be marked as a significant chapter in our history as we celebrate both Sol Plaatje’s birthday and a decade of excellence at Sol Plaatje University.

YouTube Links to Watch the Events:

Annual Sol Plaatje Lecture – Friday, 6 October at 17:00

https://www.youtube.com/live/IQ3G4q5lduQ?si=TkphReN9R727feXW

Chancellors’ Forum: Seminar – Saturday, 7 October at 09:00

https://www.youtube.com/live/yLineu3_TOI?si=qMWCG5cHpSeab27Y

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