UCT to commemorate fifth anniversary of Jagger fire

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the devastating fire of 18 April 2021, which significantly impacted the Jagger Library and several other campus buildings.

This date remains a poignant reminder of the extensive destruction to a central hub of academic life, as well as to a repository of rare and irreplaceable archival materials housed within UCT.

Five years on, the university will mark the occasion with a commemorative event titled “Opportunity in Loss”, presenting a forward-looking perspective that highlights renewal and possibility. The theme underscores an institutional commitment to reimagining the future of UCT Libraries while acknowledging the profound losses and trauma experienced by the university community.

The commemoration reflects a renewed vision for the Libraries that includes the restoration of physical spaces with a modern and sustainable design aesthetic, the expansion of digital access through the use of current technologies, the strengthening of community engagement, and the creation of a more inclusive learning environment for students and staff.

A special event, open to a limited number of stakeholders due to space constraints, will be held on the evening of 17 April, centred on a curated exhibition in and around the Jagger Reading Room.

The exhibition will comprise three key components:

• An outdoor installation on the Plaza on upper campus will feature a temporary tent displaying artefacts and narratives that evoke the triage space established in the immediate aftermath of the fire. This installation will remain in place until 24 April.
• The main exhibition will extend through the vestibule, staircase, foyer and into the Jagger Reading Room itself, presenting a cohesive narrative of loss, recovery and renewal.
• In addition, a wraparound exhibition mounted on weather-proof panels on the exterior of the building will showcase material previously displayed as part of earlier commemorative efforts. This exhibition, titled “A Tribute to the Human Spirit”, will highlight the immediate recovery efforts of UCT Libraries staff.

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.

The evening programme on 17 April will feature a symbolic illumination of the Jagger Library precinct, accompanied by musical performances and reflective contributions from individuals directly affected by the fire. The illumination serves as a visual representation of loss, resilience and renewal, symbolising the transformation of the site into a space of hope and continued scholarly pursuit.

This commemoration also acknowledges the extensive support received from across society, both locally and internationally. Recognition is given to the firefighters who protected campus infrastructure; academics worldwide who expressed solidarity with UCT; members of the university community and volunteers who assisted in salvaging thousands of items; and alumni, donors and members of the public whose contributions have supported ongoing recovery efforts.

Further information is available via the UCT Jagger Libraries recovery page and the Special Collections recovery project.

Communication and Marketing Department