#68, LaVaria

LaVaria doesn't offer accommodation, but gives students who make use of private accommodation the opportunity to still enjoy the unique NWU student life experience in residence format.

History

LaVaria Day House was established in 2006. LaVaria is the youngest residence on the NWU Potchefstroom Campus, celebrating our 18th birthday in 2024.

The name “LaVaria” is Latin and means “eenheid in verskeidenheid/Unity in Diversity.” Our hostel's motto is “eenheid in verskeidenheid/Unity in diversity,” and we say these words with pride.

The eight lines of our emblem form part of our motto. The lines may not look the same, but together we form a diverse and positive whole. LaVaria is also well known for being the only pink residence on this campus and we cannot be missed when we wear our formals with pride on Mondays.

Values

Our chapters embody the values of our residence and ladies. Our chapter names are: Unique, Loving, Daring, Crazy, Spontaneous, Wild, Loud, Happy, Loyal, and Original. 

Unique characteristics of the residence

• We are the only pink residence on campus.
• We are the youngest lady’s residence on the NWU Potchefstroom Campus
• Our mascot is popcorn to symbolise our popping personalities.
• LaVaria is based on a Storybook and each Chapter represents a value a LaVaria lady lives by. These 10 values also represent our ‘passages’ in the residence. Because we do not have a set accommodation, our ladies are divided into chapters where they participate in activities, and sometimes the chapters compete against each other to see who the best chapter at the end of the year is.

Additional information/ funfacts/ traditions

A very special tradition in LaVaria is our Balloon tradition that takes place during Senior Meet and Greet.

The balloon tradition is very special to us as a residence because it is the first time the first years meet the seniors in the residence. Every lady gets the opportunity to write their dreams and hopes for the year on the balloon and at the end, everyone let’s go of their balloon and we send up our hopes and dreams to the Lord.

What do the balloon, and the string symbolise:

• The Balloon: Represents the House Committee and Residence Parents.
• Helium: Represents all the ladies of LaVaria.
• String: Represents the Lord who keeps us all together, because without him nothing is possible.

Additional information:

Each year, we have an Internal mother-and-daughter week, during which the ladies in the residence can ask a senior to be their residence mother. A residence mother is a mentor and emotional support system. They are there to assist and be like a mommy for most of the first years. They are also there to assist with the transition from high school to university and help the ladies settle in and feel comfortable and safe.

Achievements

RAG achievements

2014
2015
2016

AKSA achievements

2014
2015
2016

ARTS achievements

2014
2015
2016

SPORT achievements

2014
2015
2016

SJGD achievements

2014
2015
2016

FINANCE achievements

2014
2015
2016

ACADEMICS achievements

2014
2015
2016

RECRUITMENT achievements

2014
2015
2016

 Residence Parent

Dear Lady in Pink

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to LaVaria Ladies Residence – the only pink residence on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University!

LaVaria provides a home away from home where an individual’s uniqueness is embraced and where sisterhood is encouraged to practice an ethic of care. We are proud of our LaVaria ladies exuding our motto, Unity in Diversity. With our ladies coming from diverse communities, we acknowledge all cultures at LaVaria.

At LaVaria, we are committed to the enrichment of every lady’s university and student life and to promote opportunities for each to excel at her own level – all while being cheered on by a host of pink sisters.

With pride and tradition since 2006, LaVaria is not afraid of competition. The residence’s priority is for every LaVaria lady to be herself. As one of the newest residences, LaVaria can truly boast about its progress and growth. We are second to none. LaVaria offers all opportunities that are offered to residents of campus residences. We encourage active participation in student life activities to shape dynamic, courageous and strong future female leaders.

LaVaria offers the opportunity for the ladies to either live privately and be part of LaVaria or to make use of LaVaria’s own accommodation. LaVaria accommodation meets all student accommodation expectations, with the choice of double or single rooms, bachelor units, study rooms, safe underground parking and 24-hour security. The accommodation also includes a variety of recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, braai areas and a gym. The accommodation is located off-campus, right across the campus and is just a few metres away from both a turnstile and a main gate of the campus.

When you become part of our sisterhood, you become Pink and will be treated like a princess. Your wellbeing, integrity and self-esteem is of utmost importance to the residence management and we provide optimal support when needed. We firmly believe in excellence, mutual respect, honesty, integrity and openness.

With our eyes on God and dressed in pink, every LaVaria lady can approach her student life with confidence and develop a zest for life.

Due to my commitments as a member of the University Management Team I asked Drikus Grobbelaar and his wife Marika to assist me with some of the house parent responsibilities and to make sure that someone is always available to assist when necessary.

Unity in Diversity!

Prof Daryl Balia                                                            Mr Drikus Grobbelaar

Work: 018 299 2601                                                     Work: 018 285 3028

Email: Daryl.balia@nwu.ac.za                                     Email: Mr Drikus Grobbelaar@nwu.ac.za