Dr Les Hulett, alumnus and past lecturer in the Faculty of Science  recently sent me this snippet of history which I found fascinating, especially considering the damage to campus recently. 

“The well-known columns on the old original buildings (Jameson Hall / Sara Baartman Hall) are  a significant part of the image of UCT.  My grandfather, William James Catto, came to the Cape Colony in the early 1990s.  He was a stonemason by trade, from Aberdeen, Scotland.  He was involved on the construction of the columns on all the original buildings, that have been a significant part of the physical image of the Groote Schuur Campus.  While I am sure the columns have survived intact, I do hope that these columns will be preserved in any rebuild that is required after the devastating fire.  In the meantime, let’s all hope for a rapid recovery for everyone – students, staff and faculty.”