Mopane Men's Residence

The Firsts

Roosmaryn

This was the first name of our residence. You may find the writing on a block of cement on your way to the Centenary Building on campus. We are one of the oldest residences in the university; we were established in the year 1965.

The first academic torch lighting ceremony

This is a new tradition that aims to celebrate academic excellence and recognizes the start of the exam season.

Oesdag

This is an event that started in the year 2011. It celebrates the tradition of first years harvesting mealies.

Mealies

This is an old Mopane tradition where first years harvest the previous year's crop and plant their own crop to show their commitment to the house.

HC with our first mascot

There is a picture of the first house committee members who were ready to lead the house and start traditions that would forever live on. The HC was accompanied by our mascot who represents what Mopane used to stand for.

Mopane logbook

This is our first register book that covers every new member of the house. The first signatures are seen in the year 1971. It has since been filled with incoming and new first years.

The first POC (Peppie of color/Person of color)

ACL Magagula and TR Mokhonoana were the first peppies to be welcomed into our residences. You may find their signatures in our first register book in the year 1993.

The Greats

Heyneke Meyer

Heyneke Meyer is one of the biggest rugby union coaches in South Africa, best known for coaching the Springboks from 2012 until 2015. He once lived in this prestigious house and has since gone to do bigger things in the world.

Impi Visser

Mopane also had the privilege of housing one of the biggest South African rugby players. He is a sevens player for the South Africa national team in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Culture and Victories

Mopane is a residence that cultivates participation and excellence and our trophy case proves just that. Our trophy case forms part of the greats because it proves to us that we are a residence that is diverse and versatile and always works towards achieving greater things.

El Tjorro

This is our very own car and one of our biggest pride as a house. It is our tradition to only allow Ooms (4th years and older) to drive it around. It has been inactive for a while but lucky enough, it was fixed and can be used for our big events.

The Peppie cap

One of the biggest traditions we have in res is the peppie cap. Every incoming or prospective first-year wears this cap as a symbol of unity and pride. It is the very first tangible testament for the peppies to work as a unit as they ensure the protection of each cap.

The ethos

These are the words we live by. They are what makes Mopane, MOPANE. It is tradition for the HC to recite these words during the house and HC meetings. These words carry so much value and teach the residents of this house about our gentleman code. We strive to show everyone else that we live by our ethos and we portray what Mopane is on a daily basis, even if no one is watching.

The semi-jersey

Our oldest piece of clothing is the Semi Jersey, which was designed in 1972. Only the members of the House who completed their development program are judged to be worthy of receiving it. This jersey holds so much pride as it is the only piece of clothing that has remained constant in the house, and it serves as a manner to show the love Mopaans have for this house throughout all the generations that stayed between these walls.

Festive Year

Every 5 years we celebrate the year as a festive year. We have big events and activities for past and present Mopaane to celebrate this place we call home. In 2024 we will be celebrating Festive year as our prestigious residence turns 55 years old.

The Lasts

Trapkar

Designed and built in 1982, the trapkar was used for intervarsity/residence national events. Mopane won many races from the years 1982 to 1984. Unfortunately, it got discontinued due to it being a safety risk.

Initiations

Some initiations to become a Mopaan had to fall away because they went against the university’s policies and rules. They were morally and constitutionally inhumane. This was the manner in which the practices in the house did not convey the deeply rooted house traditions to the newer generations of Mopaans.

Mopane Slingshot (Kettie)

Mopane used to have a slingshot that fired projectiles at certain buildings across the house. This was no longer allowed because it caused a lot of damage and posed some sort of endangerment to people.

The Changes

Mopane (name change)

From being called “Roosmaryn” to “Mopanie” and now “Mopane”. Our residence prides itself in being inclusive and it all starts with its name. The name change shows our identity and who we want to be and be perceived as by other people.

Traditions

Our traditions and initiations have since changed from what they used to be. They did not add to the idea of transformation in our house, so we decided to change the dynamic of our residence and push it to be more inclusive and to educate the gents in the house about cultures and traditions they are not custom to.

House Committee members

With every year that passes we welcome new HC members. This is to ensure that there is growth within our residence and promote a culture of new traditions, ideas, and values.

House Clothing and peppie caps

Much can’t be said here besides that we need to look “stylish”. JOKES. Mopane clothing has changed over the years to be more inclusive and diverse. We try to follow the times and keep up with the trends, but we always make sure to put/keep our little touch in it with every design.

The first POC (person of color/peppie of color)

This was the start of a transformation. A new outlook and vision for Mopane. In the year 1993, Mopane welcomed people of color in the residence and since then we have aimed to keep growing in diversity and welcome more people.

Mopane & Morula Legae divide (Azalea)

Before Azalea was established Mopane used to take up half of it while Morula legae took the other half. Rumour has it that the relationship between Mopane and Morula grew too toxic, something had to be done. That is why we have Azalea as the only female residence in Hillcrest.