Purple Thusday

Purple Thursday was started by the SRC in 2011 to promote university life for current students, to unite all Rhodes students and to accentuate the pride in being a Rhodian.  The university is composed of a unique blend of students, alumni and staff and as with any society, place or field of work, certain groups tend to stick together. Purple Thursday is designed to bridge these factors and every Thursday the university unites in wearing a touch of purple to show their pride in being part of the Rhodes family.  Our alumni were invited to join us via facebook and e-mail and we received a heart warming response!

Every Thursday our campus is flooded with purple clothing and we have Old Rhodians all over the world remembering their alma mater by wearing an item of clothing that is purple: We have started an album with a few pictures and memories that our alumni have sent in and if you would like to add to it, please e-mail t.mccarthy@ru.ac.za

To view pictures of alumni, staff and students on Purple Thursday please click on the GALLERY

Messages from Alumni

 "What a wonderful idea - on a Thursday, in addition to wearing something purple, I'm going to sign-off my mail with a purple image.  On 17 May it will be the one I'm using to sign-off this one - if anyone asks about it or comments on it, I'll tell them. 

With good thoughts"

James Moulder  (1959-1961)

"Can't make d Purple Thursday for now due to circumstances beyond my control. Maybe next time. Long Live Rhodes University, where Leaders Learn."

 Dr. Idahosa (2008)

"What a serendipitous occurrence – Eunice and her hubby have organized a gab-fest for Rhodians this Thursday, so we too might get to wear our varsity colours."

 Warmest wishes,

 Noeline Laccetti (1966)

"The idea of the Thursday Rhodes purple color is good for identifying myself with Rhodes University. Therefore i will wear somthing purple on Thursday this week to support this idea."

Cheers

Evaristo Kalumba (2009) (Zambia)

"Memories, the photos of the purple Thursday really brought tears of joy, I sure do miss being a student those were the best days of my life. Are we going to have another reunion in Windhoek this year?"

 Pauline Chigumbu (2002)

"I am always pleased to hear from Rhodes, and to read about the life and success of my alma mater. I wish all Rhodians  current and old (I was there in 1953-4 for my masters with Prof Omar-Cooper) and extramural for my Ph.D. in 1963).  I still keep great ties with old friends, but often miss the great blue skies of my homeland….. I am heavily involved with tropical disease work, visiting Zambia and sometimes othere locations, maybe one day even Grahamstown,"

Sincerely

 Clive Shiff (1953)

"Great idea , but as a very old Old Rhodian, I applaud your idea of Purple Thursday, but do you know the history behind this ?? Let me refresh you:  In , i believe it was 1934, the then Prince of Wales, later Edward 8th visited Grahamstown, Rhodes and Port Alfred on a Royal Visit to SA , and mandated that on Founders Day every year purple was to be worn , and women to have a purple patch of some description and the men to wear the white and purple Rhodes Blazer , WITH white trousers and a purple strip down the side on Founders Day . In fact on founders Day Ball this was the Dress. It was then that he also played at the Kowie Golf Club and decreed that it was to be the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club , joining an elite group of Clubs with the Royal Patronage that still exists today."

 Mike Chapman  (1959)