Two weeks of Registration and Orientation, 55 hours of rehearsals over eight days and nearly 1000 first year student, one astonishing performing arts feat.

First Years Concert, a large production drawing an audience of nearly 4000 people, is aimed at exposing new comers to the Potchefstroom Campus to the vibrant cultural student life on campus. Most students are startled to realize that they themselves are actually brilliant singers, dancers and actors, talents that most of them did not know they had.

Every year the audience; including campus management, parents, student leaders and students, is entertained by quality productions with witty humour. Keeping in mind that the entire production, including script, choreography, music, song, décor and costumes are all created by the first years and members of the hostel.

This year the star studded panel adjudicating included internationally renowned singer; Jennifer Jones, South African Pop star; Nadine and television starlet; Nadia Valvekens. The liaising hostels had 20 minutes to impress the judges, and impress they did. Patria Men’s Hostel & Oosterhof Ladies Hostel were crowned as the overall winners, with Laureus Men’s Hostel and Minjonet Ladies Hostel coming in second. The young acting talents; Anwil Botha (Patria Men’s Hostel) & Marlie Kotze (Wag-‘n-Bietjie Ladies Hostel) respectively received the award for best actor and actress.  

First Years Concert is part of Studentity and crucial to the arts on campus. In the words of the SCC: Arts Council Chairperson; Duan Craffert: “First Years Concert is a blank canvas upon which first years can paint whatever picture they like,”, and what a beautiful painting they made. 

For the full list of results, click here.

Photo: Michael du Plessis - Snappit photographer