NWU Traditions Shine at Annual RAG Farm B’RAG Day 2026
- Karen Scheepers
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The North-West University (NWU) RAG Farm was transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and creativity on Saturday, 14 February 2026, as the annual B’RAG Day festivities took center stage. From 09:00 to 16:00, the public was invited to witness the culmination of weeks of intensive labor, craftsmanship, and residence pride. This year’s event was notably accessible to the community, offering free entry to view the intricate float exhibitions and enjoy various open-air markets and food stalls.
The 2026 showcase highlighted NWU’s status as the only university in South Africa to maintain the traditional "joolvlot" (RAG float) culture. While the floats remained stationary at the RAG Farm for the exhibition, there was a strong sentiment among attendees and organizers regarding the future possibility of taking these "student artworks" into the streets of neighboring communities to share the carnival spirit more broadly.
Artistic Themes and Residence Collaborations
Several residences presented high-concept floats that combined storytelling with complex construction. Each project represented hundreds of hours of work, often referred to by students as a period of "sweat, sacrifice, and countless late nights."
Eikenhof Dameskoshuis: Under the leadership of RAG HCs Nicole Erasmus and Juan Baard, the residence presented a float titled "EnvolZeREMderiE." The display featured "Kumba" as a central star, focusing on immersive creativity and powerful storytelling to engage the audience.
Heimat Manskoshuis & Oosterhof Dameskoshuis: These two residences collaborated on the "Turbo" theme. Oosterhof’s RAG HC, Ané Botha, praised the "sleepie" (partner residence) for their dedication in bringing the high-speed, colorful concept to life. The final product was described by the students as the result of a "grind" that required perfecting every minor detail.
Vergeet-My-Nie Dameskoshuis & Excelsior: This partnership tackled a narrative-driven theme titled "Willy Wonka Rescue." The float depicted a rescue mission where friends worked together to free Willy Wonka from captivity within his own factory, symbolizing the teamwork and adventure inherent in the RAG process.
Hombré Manskoshuis: Following two demanding weeks of preparation, Hombré unveiled their "JOOL 26" exhibition. The residence leadership extended deep gratitude to the "buls" and "dames" who pushed through exhaustion to ensure the project met its deadline, emphasizing that the final result was a product of collective passion.
Safety and Security Operations
To manage the large influx of visitors and students, Meg Security was on-site throughout the day. Operating under the banner of SECURE Brag Day, the security teams provided "Secure Events and Trusted Protection" to ensure the celebration could proceed without incident. Their presence allowed the public to navigate the stalls and exhibitions with confidence, maintaining a family-friendly environment for the duration of the 09:00 to 16:00 window.
The event concluded as a significant success for the NWU student body, reinforcing a decades-old tradition through modern creative lenses and community engagement.
🛡️🎨🚜🇿🇦