Staff members of Stellenbosch University (SU) celebrated Casual Day on Friday, 6 September, with big spectacles, big bow ties, big hair and big hats.
This year, the theme for Casual Day was "Go Big!" – and judging by the outfits SU staff members wore at the "Amazing Race" event held on the Rooiplein, they certainly went big.
The "Amazing Race" was organised to create awareness of disabilities. Twenty teams of six members each had to unravel riddles to move from one building on campus to another. But three of the team members had a "disability": one was in a wheelchair, the other was blindfolded and a third team member wore earplugs.
All six team members had to arrive together at each building, amongst others Admin B and C, the Conservatoire, the Neelsie and the Arts and Social Sciences building. They received their clue and then had to move on to the next building. An official accompanied them on their route, kept time and made sure they did not cheat.
The objective was to give people an experience of how disabled people move about on campus and how accessible or not buildings on campus are.
Dr Jerome Slamat, Senior Director: Community Interaction, welcomed staff and students at the race and said the event is a result of SU's new institutional intent to make the University an inclusive institution. "Inclusivity means that everyone has physical access to all the facilities and is not hindered from moving around on campus. This event shows that SU's vision is not just words, but it is also put into action," said Slamat.
Before the race started, six teams strut their stuff on the "catwalk" to show off their costumes and compete for the prize for the best dressed team. The winning team was the Human Resources Division with their bright clown and baby outfits. In the second place was the Vehicle Pool.
For those who participated in the "Amazing Race", the experience was enriching.
"It is very difficult to run when you're blindfolded," said Jonathan Quanson of the Department of Biochemistry. "I tripped a few times and it was especially difficult to judge how high the steps were."
Quanson's teammate, Gertrude Gerstner, who was in the wheelchair, said the furrows along the road en small spaces made the race difficult.
Khanita Rhode of the Vehicle Pool, also in the wheelchair, said: "I was surprised that most of the buildings actually had easy wheelchair access."
But Marvin Koopman of Alumni Relations thought it was not so easy. "I really struggled with the wheelchair. The surface of the road and walkways is very bumpy."
Elvira September of Human Resources had to tackle the race wearing earplugs. "The biggest problem is that you can't hear trouble approaching, like a motorist that hoots."
The team of the Department of Biochemistry completed the "Amazing Race" in the shortest time, while Irene women's residence and the Vehicle Pool were in second and third place respectively.
CAPTION: The team of the Division Human Resources with the colourful outfits that earned them the prize for the best dressed team. Photo: STEFAN ELS
