Why UJ alumni should rebuild auditorium

A month ago, the University of Johannesburg lost it’s Sanlam Auditorium due to arson attacks. The auditorium has played a fundamental role in the university’s culture and  history. Former student Advocate Cassie Badenhorst has challenged his fellow alumni to join him in a rebuilding fund, aimed at restoring the main Auditorium on the Kingsway Campus.

“It is unacceptable that misguided arsonists, who destroyed our varsity’s iconic auditorium in a moment of madness, should have the last say,” said the former UJ student.

Badenhorst explained  that “while we fully expect the culprits to face the full force of the law for their evil deed, we should embrace the university’s call: #UJBeTheSolution”.

“I pledge R10 000 as seed money and invite my fellow alumni to join me in this effort by contributing generously towards the restoration of facilities,” Badenhorst said.

Here are some of the reasons why this is an important initiative, as stated by Badenhorst:

•  The auditorium was the scene of numerous graduation ceremonies over the years.
•  The auditorium is an essential part of UJ to continue its noble task of passing on skills and knowledge.
• UJ holds a special place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of alumni – all from Technikon Witwatersrand, Rand Afrikaans Universiteit, Vista University and since 2005, from the University of Johannesburg.
• This privately initiated appeal will catalyse fundraising drives with the major private sector donors, foundations and the public sector in South Africa and internationally.
•  The  auditorium  has been  a focal point of the university’s academic and cultural life.

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“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself and in no instance bypass the discriminations of reason? You have been given the principles that you ought to endorse, and you have endorsed them. What kind of teacher, then, are you still waiting for in order to refer your self-improvement to him? You are no longer a boy, but a full-grown man. If you are careless and lazy now and keep putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself, you will not notice that you are making no progress, but you will live and die as someone quite ordinary.

From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think best a law that you never set aside. And whenever you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer, and that your progress is wrecked or preserved by a single day and a single event. That is how Socrates fulfilled himself by attending to nothing except reason in everything he encountered. And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates.” ― Epictetus