Eenmal 'n PUK, altyd 'n PUK.
For the last two weeks, I have had the opportunity to get an inside look at the Registration and Orientation (R&O) programme through interpreting from Afrikaans to English for the first years in my residence. Being a first-year last year, that was the only perspective that I had of the introduction process but as an interpreter, I was granted a full-access pass.
This pass granted me access to the perspectives of all the parties involved, the HK (house committee members) as well as the first-years on the receiving side as well as my own perspective as a relatively new senior in the residence. It has provided many laughs and a great experience where I learned to love and appreciate my residence and my university even more.
I saw the HK put on a brave and strict face for the sake of brewing a deep and well-earned respect and the first-years shake in their boots at the prospect of having to face the upcoming weeks with these ladies at the steer. But as the days passed and the ladies started to get to know each other and the system better, I saw a pride for their residence as well as for their HK and for the NWU start to develop, more than respect out of fear.
Tears of exhaustion and overtired laughing were also in abundance, making the bond between the involved parties stronger as the days went by. Having been through the exact same experience just the year before, I could completely empathize with each first-year but I was also granted the opportunity to see the toll the process takes on the very hard-working and dedicated HK who went out of their way to give the first-years the very best experience that they possibly could whilst enabling them to handle university life and all the challenges it holds.
The politics that unfolded at the North-West University in the last few weeks were also not an easy burden to carry whilst trying to continue with the full schedule. It added pressure to all involved and yet not once did the first-years or HK turn the very unpleasant situation into an issue or problem that they couldn't address and move past. This was a hurdle that they flew over. The unity displayed in my residence concerning the issues at hand proved once again that my choice of university, residence, and course was spot on.
Although there is a definite unhappiness and uncertainty about the situation, never once did the students through their hands up in defeat but rather lifted their hands up together in unity showing that a university that stands together for what its students believe in, is a ship that cannot sink no matter how many icebergs it hits.
So all together I am very proud to be a resident of Minjonet Ladies Residence. I proud to be a NWU-PUKKE and I am excited to see what the future has in store for us as an institution. No mountain is too high and no river too deep if we stand together.
Good luck for the last week of R&O, I truely belive that this is only the beginning of a very successful year that lies ahead.
KYK NET HOE BAIE PUKKE IS ONS HIER.
P.S Shout out to Stefanie - thank you for your support.
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