Isn’t it remarkable that the University of Johannesburg Auckland Park Kingsway Campus started as the Rand Afrikaans University? Established in 1966 it was made to be an academic hub for Afrikaners.
Today we’re standing at the largest campus of the University of Johannesburg. This is the Kingsway Campus Auckland Park. Locals often call it APK. It is the heart of the university’s administration.
Before 2005 this land belonged solely to the Rand Afrikaans University or RAU. Kingsway Avenue a major road in Johannesburg lends its name to the campus. Look around. The campus is bordered by University Road Ditton Avenue and Ripley Road. It’s technically in Rossmore not Auckland Park.
RAU got an award from the South African Institute of Architects. That was when the campus opened in 1975. Dr Nicolaas Diederichs the first chancellor and State President opened it. The campus is essentially one building.
Some call it “Archi-torture”. Students and residents jokingly use that term. But its practicality is undeniable.
You can walk to any faculty venue or laboratory in under eight minutes. The building is multipurpose. It can convert to accommodate different needs quickly. Imagine it as a hospital within 48 hours.
The campus is divided into rings. There is A Ring B Ring C Ring and D Ring. Each ring has a LES or Lesingslokaal behind it. LES is Afrikaans for Lesson Venue. There is a LAB behind each LES. It’s like a flower expanding outwards. Each part of the building has seven stories. The E Ring houses the Sanlam Auditorium. You can also find Student Media offices Campus Health Services and university societies here. Next to D LAB Kelder is the UJ Aquarium.
In 2011 Kingsway Campus had over 27000 students. More than 21000 were undergraduates. Almost 6000 were postgraduates.
RAU pioneered the on-campus shopping mall. It was known as the “S.S.” It stands for Studente Sentrum. That means Student Center in Afrikaans. RAU also created Campus Square. It is a shopping center for students living off campus.
Buildings have been added since the merger creating the University of Johannesburg. These include the UJ Arts Center. It features a gallery theatre and dance studios. There is also the B LAB extension for Engineering. The UJ Law Clinic is where the RAU art gallery used to be.
Kingsway Campus Auckland Park has 66 lecture halls. They seat nearly 8000 students. There is also 24-hour access to microlaboratories.
The Sanlam Auditorium hosts concerts meetings and graduation ceremonies. The Arts Centre has an art gallery. It displays South African contemporary artists. The theatre seats 435. It’s used for university and outside productions.
The University of Johannesburg has a shuttle service. It connects all campuses. Rea Vaya a bus rapid transit system also serves all campuses.
Kingsway Campus has the most student residences. It uniquely has a day house policy. Day students can join fraternities or sororities. This builds camaraderie. Students can relax between classes. The men’s day houses are Kanniedood and Voorendag. The women’s are Annierand and Alomdraai.
Construction began in 2010 on new residential halls. There were plans for a sky rail linking Kingsway Campus with Bunting Road Campus. But that was put on hold. Funds were needed for Soweto Campus.
The Kingsway Campus Auckland Park is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a vibrant hub of learning culture and community. It evolved from RAU. It continues to shape the future of South Africa.