UCT commemorates fifth anniversary of Jagger fire
A special event was held on the evening of Friday, 17 April for previous funders, donors and volunteers, providing a preview of the display.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) will commemorate the fifth anniversary of a devastating fire that impacted the Jagger Libraries and several other campus buildings on 18 April 2021.
That day stands as a painful reminder of the scale of destruction to both the hub of academic life on campus and to a repository of rare archival material housed at UCT.
Five years on, a commemorative exhibition programme titled “Opportunity in Loss” offers a different perspective – a future-orientated narrative highlighting possibility.
According to UCT Libraries Executive Director, Ujala Satgoor, the theme does not diminish the losses sustained or the trauma experienced, but rather brings into focus an opportunity to reimagine the Libraries at UCT.
This includes restoring physical spaces with a more modern and sustainable design aesthetic; leveraging current technology to expand digital access to collections; deepening community engagement; and creating a more inclusive learning environment for students and staff.
“The commemoration marks a transition from remembrance to action, offering an opportunity to reflect on the losses endured, honour the collective efforts in response to the disaster, and look forward to rebuilding the Jagger Library and renewing our commitment to African scholarship,” said Satgoor.
A special event was held on the evening of Friday, 17 April for previous funders, donors and volunteers, providing a preview of the display.
“The symbolic floodlighting of the library symbolises the devastation caused by the fire, the resilience of the UCT community, the enduring flame of knowledge and the transformation of the site from one of loss into a beacon of renewal and hope. As the Jagger Library is illuminated, it will stand as a symbol of memory, resilience and renewal,” said Satgoor.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 20 April to 15 May 2026, enabling broader access for students, schools and local communities. Two guided tours will be conducted on each weekday, with a maximum of 20 visitors per group. Bookings can be made online. The exhibition space will be closed on weekends and public holidays.
This commemoration is also an opportunity to acknowledge the support received from across society. It honours the firefighters who protected campus structures; academics from around the world who stood in solidarity with UCT; members of the UCT community and volunteers who helped salvage thousands of items; as well as alumni, sponsors and members of the public who contributed generously to recovery efforts.
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