CHAPTER EIGHT

In March 1 started at the University of Cape Town. It was a really lovely beginning to university days, as UCT was celebrating its centenary, having started as the South African College in 1829. The university was small in those days, and we all got to know almost everyone in every faculty. Some lectures were still held in town, but most were at the new Groote Schuur site, where were also the new Women�s and Men�s residences. I already knew a lot of the Freshers, naturally, and quickly got to know others as we started into rehearsals for the Centenary Pageant. I don�t remember the pageant itself, but memories are bright of our happy times at rehearsals, lazing about on the grass slopes as we waited our turns to perform. I was a �meisie� in a yellow sprigged cotton, very full, long dress and I wore a kappie, and had my hair in ringlets. It was a warm, friendly atmosphere and firm friendships were made, including my particular one with Elisabeth de Villiers.

For my B.A. degree my subjects were English I and II, Psychology (which I failed - �But surely it�s not possible to fail psycho� was a phrase I got very tired of - but managed to pass at the second try), Latin I, Economic History I, Social Anthropology I and Afrikaans I (I did Afrikaans Preliminary in my second year and passed Afrikaans I in my last year).

It is difficult to sort out just how and when I fitted everything in during those three years. Having been brought up in a tradition of service to others, it was natural that I should take on quite a few activities in this connection. Once a week I travelled by bus instead of train from Rondebosch to town, and got off in Woodstock and walked to a mission centre where I ran a pack of Sunbeams - the coloured equivalent of Brownies. I was very involved with those little girls and produced a play which I adapted myself by writing the words and doing the scenery and sets and, I think, the costumes. I chose �Snow-white� and the title part was played by a fair-haired child who had a very black sister.

Then during some holidays I stayed with the Children�s Special Service Mission in Fish Hoek and helped with the daily services on the beach. I did turns with the Cape Times Fresh Air Fund at their camps for under-privileged children in Stellenbosch (where I had my first experience of lice in little heads) and at Froggy Pond near Simonstown.

I also taught regularly in Gardens Sunday School, to and from which on those Sunday afternoons I usually had a lift with Bill Cuthbert. Mother had her regular turns for doing the church flowers, and sometimes I did them for her - into town, walking or by bus, on Saturday morning to buy flowers from the flower-sellers in Adderley Street, and then to the church to arrange them.

I joined in all University events, and remember Charles Shaw (Margaret�s brother) as cheer-leader one year - we had practice sessions of all the songs for Inter-Varsity matches, and then travelled in pouring rain to Stellenbosch and sang ourselves hoarse. We all dressed in white dresses (or shirts) and had blue accessories such as scarves on these occasions.