By Gosego Phutieagae

The long-standing tradition of sold-out performances and excited audiences once again greeted the annual Campus Serenade (Sêr) competition at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus.

The three-day cultural showcase featured high-energy music and vocal performances by students from the campus residences.

This year’s event was even bigger and bigger as, for the first time, students from private residences also competed, adding a new dimension to the competition. Residences dedicate months to rehearsals, working tirelessly to perfect harmonies, choreography and stage presence. Many students spend the entire year preparing for their moment in the limelight, demonstrating the commitment and passion the event inspires.

Performances are judged not only on vocal ability, but also on musicality, entertainment, costume design and theatrical elements, and the complexity of performing in harmony with groups of up to 20 people challenges participants to push beyond their comfort zones.

The annual Sêr competition kicked off with a men’s night and a ladies’ night, and then culminated in the final evening where residences competed in the categories own composition of song, prescribed song and multilingual performance.

This year, diversity played a significant role, and residences performed songs in multiple South African languages, reflecting the country’s cultural richness and the NWU’s inclusivity.

In the end, Patria men’s residence, Vergeet-My-Nie ladies’ residence and Veritas men’s residence were announced the top three winners.

Eugene van der Merwe, Student Campus Council arts and culture officer, described the response this year as overwhelming. “The event literally sold out in minutes!”

This is not the end of the line for participants. The three winning teams will compete in the 2025 Arts Trophy competition later this year, where the final winning group will be announced and will walk away with the trophy.

With its multilingual and multicultural character, not to mention incredible talent, the Sêr showed yet again why it is such a unifying platform for students from different backgrounds.

Patria

Vergeet-My-Nie

Veritas