It’s about pride. It’s about history and tradition. It’s the Hope for the future. In all areas, from culture, academia and on the sports field. The ordinary guy suddenly turn into a hero. Sunday night echos the sound of a group of men through the streets of Pretoria. 105 years of tradition are always together in spirit. Because “Very few can be a Sonopper”.
Sometimes I wish the walls at Sonop could talk and tell the stories of the past. Fortunately, the walls carry the tradition, culture and brotherhood of all the previous years and so it becomes part of every new Sonopper’s Sonop experience. What a great privilege it is to be able to live in a place like no other.
Sonop takes young boys and teaches them what it is to be men. Men who establish the Kingdom of God in our midst with truth and power. Men who will take on the roles of head and priest of their families with a God-fearing love. Men who walk in God’s light and keep on seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Sunrise is your unfair advantage in life. This is something an ex-Sonopper told me has stuck with me to this day. Every day that passes one sees that Sonop is an investment in one’s life.
Hard work, perseverance and difficult times. Sonop teaches you how to function under difficult conditions – diamonds are only formed under high pressure. Christian values, character and perseverance – that’s our culture.
What’s worse than a home without a mother …? Definitely “Sonop without a Nonnie”. As Sonop’s Nonnie it is not only my duty to keep every young man’s stomach full, but out of love I carry every Sonopper’s interests at heart. Nonnie is your mother away from home …
A Sonop resident is a normal person who works harder than other normal people and this is the core of Sonop’s success.
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth. This quote perfectly sums up a Sonopper. A Sonopper is not necessarily going to be the best on the field or the smartest in the class, but he NEVER gives up, and that’s what makes Sonop stand out above all the other residences, that’s what makes Sonop the best.
MORE ABOUT US
WHAT DOES SONOP LOOK LIKE?
Sonop occupies six old civic plots in the tree-lined Brooklyn area – barely one kilometre from the UP main campus.
Unlike the other men’s residences on campus, Sonop does not consist of a large building with corridors and rooms, but of mansions (small houses) with four rooms each where residents live from their second year of study.
Between the mansions are green lawns and beautiful gardens that create a real homely atmosphere.
The first-years live in the Stables, the parsonage or the Blue Train – each with its own unique character and atmosphere.
Sunrise is divided into regions. The West, East, North and Central, and just like the first-years’ residences, each have their own style and way of doing things.
Each region has its own informal leader who is elected by the region annually: the West’s Godfather, the North’s Chief Saw, the East’s President and Central’s Main Pole.
INTERNET
At the time, Sonop was the first residence at UP to provide internet access to its residents. Each Sonopper has unlimited internet access 24 hours a day. The “wireless” network makes it possible for residents to work on group assignments with fellow students anywhere on the site or on the garden bench in front of their rooms to send emails to their family and friends worldwide.
A highly professional company is responsible for the overall maintenance of the network while an “Internet committee” consisting of house members handles the ground level administration together with the residence head and administrative lady.
PETS
Every major region in Sonop (East, West and North) is allowed to keep a dog as a pet. Visitors are usually greeted by some of the dogs.
These dogs have everything but a dog life – on the contrary – they live like kings!
Sonop’s dogs are a regular sight at rugby matches at LC de Villiers where they watch the spectacle on the field with a first-year on a leash. Also during house meetings, a place is made for them to be part of the important deliberations of the residents.
Each dog must go through an “induction ceremony” before being accepted as a Sonopper and receiving his certificate.