Buy the Baxter a cup of coffee
05 May 2020 | Story Supplied. Photo Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler. Read time 2 min.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent nationwide lockdown, many businesses have been forced to shut down, and many organisations to halt their operations – including the Baxter Theatre, based at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
The Baxter Theatre is the most active theatre in South Africa, presenting more than 3 000 performances a year; however, it was forced to stop operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am sure you will agree that when this pandemic is over, the arts will play a significant role in finding meaning, healing, and bringing communities together in celebration of our humanity,” said Lara Foot, Baxter Theatre chief executive. “It is extremely difficult in these times to find a sizeable annual grant from any individual or business, and this brings me to our carefully considered drive to ensure our sustainability.”
“When this pandemic is over, the arts will play a significant role in finding meaning, healing, and bringing communities together.”
Foot is appealing to theatre lovers everywhere to “buy the Baxter a cup of coffee every month”, which means contributing R30 per month, or R360 per year, and to help it reach 30 000 contributors by sharing this initiative with friends and family.
“We need to accumulate 30 000 donors over the next year. This would amount to approximately R10 800 000 per year. I do not see our theatre operating functionally until early 2021. We have to raise R5 000 000 to get through this year. The Baxter’s very existence depends on this amount.”
Visit the Baxter Theatre website for more information or to make a contribution.
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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021
COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.
UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.
Commemorating a year of COVID-19
At midnight on 26 March 2020, South African went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.
Frequently asked questions
In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”
We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.