Sports
Sport and exercise is an important part of any ladies life, it is important to lead a balanced lifestyle and so we have numerous sporting activities such as hockey, netball, squash, chess, tennis, swimming to name a few. In the past years we have really come a long way to the point that this year 2009 we won first year’s athletics, hockey, squash and hockey. We participate competitively as well as for the fun of it as there is no point in doing something if you do not enjoy it.
Culture
Cultural activities are something which we really enjoy and really involve the entire house, even if you are not the most culturally-inclined student. We start off with first year’s concert where all the first years begin to bond and get to know each other. This gives them a strong foundation with the girls we live with. It is a fun experience and it is truly amazing what the girls put on stage after only 2 weeks of practice. We also have serrie which is a national project, where 20 girls are selected to form part of a singing a capello group, we dress up according to a theme, have different melodies and harmonies, this has really been one of our fortes as we have won 2 times in a row and have gone to represent UJ at serrie nationals. We have sangfees, which is a combination of a ladies residence and a male residence and we join to put on a spectacular show consisting of song and dance. There is also Toneelfees – a short one act play for the more dramatically inclined. English and Afrikaans debating is also something we do well in and it is custom to have Benjemijn ladies Representing UJ at debating nationals.
Social scene
This is the point where parents don’t really want to hear about it all the time, but I assure you it is also important to experience as a student!
Apart from campus parties which happen throughout the year, we host many parties too – we have Feesweek, which is otherwise known as party week where every day of the week (which falls outside of exam and test time) we have something organised every night, we go to the Dros to eat out together as a house, we go watch a movie, we have ‘blockdrankie’ social in our residence and an informal dance which the girls get dressed up according to a theme and go have a good time. We also have Burgerskap where the first years celebrate the acceptance into residence – this event has fame to even top your matric farewell, so it is something highly looked forward to. We have numerous sokkie, food fight, trips to the zoo and eat out socials with men’s residences throughout the year and it is always something to look forward to.
Community Service
Community service is something that we really take into our hearts and do the best we can – not because we want to win but because we feel it is really giving something back to the community! We have various projects and homes that we work with, paint schools, fix jungle gyms, paint hospitals, give food to the needy and most of all we also have an internal project for the girls in Benjemijn who cannot afford to buy food, assisting them financially.