FABIans celebrated a colourful yet pensive Spring Day Tea in the FABI Courtyard on 4 September. The FABI Social Club hosts this colourful spectacle every year in celebration of renewal that comes with the end of winter. In reflection of the sombre mood in the country, FABI Director Professor Bernard Slippers reflected on the rape and murder of a University of Cape Town student, Uyinene Mrwetyana, and the attacks on foreign nationals in Gauteng over the last few days. He urged FABIans to observe a moment of silence in respect of those killed and in condemnation of all forms of violence. 

Professor Slippers addressed students and staff while standing on the edge of the dry fishpond at the centre of the courtyard. He joked that he could deliver his address without fear of falling into the pond! He reflected on the significance of the pond and its history at FABI. The pond was built after its foundation at the University of Pretoria with fish donated by partners in the forestry industry. As part of its renewal, the pond will once again be teeming with fish – albeit smaller fish that “the birds won’t eat” – and plants that will filter the water, said Prof. Slippers. He closed the occasion by reading “The trees”, a poem by Phillip Larkin, which ends “Begin afresh, afresh, and afresh.”