The Aula, auditorium of the University of Pretoria, is opened by the Governor

The University of Pretoria (UP), previously known as the Transvaal University College (TUKS) was founded in 1908, and recently celebrated its centenary year in 2008. The University of Cape Town Act (Act 14 of 1916) and the University of Stellenbosch Act (Act 13 of 1916) had provided for the independent universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, and six other co-examining colleges of the University of South Africa, which included TUKS. In 1958, in its 50th year, UP unveiled the Aula, an auditorium on the UP campus which was opened by Dr. E.G Jansen, the Governor General of South Africa. Jansen was the first Afrikaans-speaking Governor General in South Africa, and is considered a "champion" of the development of the Afrikaans language in South Africa. The opening ceremony also included a performance by famed soprano Mimi Coertse, who had trained in opera in Vienna, and was well known throughout Europe for her roles in famous opera's such as Die ZauberflÁƒÂƒÂ¶te and Rigoletto. The Aula is still in use today, and currently plays host to significant annual and special events, including music, choral and dance competitions. References: Potgieter, D.J (1975) Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Published by NASOU Ltd. Vol 11. p. 94; Vol 6. p. 184-5 Steyn, C. (2002) "Two South African Women: the lives and careers of the singers Miriam Makeba and Mimi Coertse" from UNISA Musicologica p. 5-10 [online] Available at: unisa.co.za [Accessed 27 August 2009] Swart, M.J., et al. (eds)(1980) Afrikaanse Kultuuralmanak, Aucklandpark: Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge.