Centlivres Building

Named after Albert van der Sandt Centlivres (1887- 1957) Chancellor of UCT, (1951-1966). He was a champion of the liberty of individuals and strove to protect the independence of universities. His relationship with UCT began when he entered SAC and quickly excelled, coming first in his matric examination. After his intermediate examinations he gained the Rhodes Scholarship and left for Oxford where he studied law. After working in Rhodesia and editing Juta’s Daily Reporter, he established his own practice. He became judge in the appellate division and in 1951 became Chief Justice. It was a year later that his involvement with UCT was re-established and he became Chancellor. Having worked to maintain Cape Town’s liberal political stance, he too worked to protect the independence of universities and the freedom of the individual, fighting race and class based legislation that he considered unjust during increasingly difficult political times. With the 1959 Extension of University Education Act coming into effect Centlivres, as chancellor, led UCT in protests, culminating in a march of staff and students in academic dress through the city. Source: Origins of Names of Buildings at the University of Cape Town, Mr M. Musemwa (Department of History UCT, 1993). South African Law Journal 1966 (83) 387 and 1935 (52) . Featherman, Krislov and Hall. 2010. The next 25 years : Affirmative action in higher education in the US and South Africa. Featherman, Krislov and Hall (2010).

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Building Name
Centlivres Building
Description
Named after Albert van der Sandt Centlivres (1887- 1957) Chancellor of UCT, (1951-1966). He was a champion of the liberty of individuals and strove to protect the independence of universities. His relationship with UCT began when he entered SAC and quickly excelled, coming first in his matric examination. After his intermediate examinations he gained the Rhodes Scholarship and left for Oxford where he studied law. After working in Rhodesia and editing Juta’s Daily Reporter, he established his own practice. He became judge in the appellate division and in 1951 became Chief Justice. It was a year later that his involvement with UCT was re-established and he became Chancellor. Having worked to maintain Cape Town’s liberal political stance, he too worked to protect the independence of universities and the freedom of the individual, fighting race and class based legislation that he considered unjust during increasingly difficult political times. With the 1959 Extension of University Education Act coming into effect Centlivres, as chancellor, led UCT in protests, culminating in a march of staff and students in academic dress through the city.
Source: Origins of Names of Buildings at the University of Cape Town, Mr M. Musemwa (Department of History UCT, 1993). South African Law Journal 1966 (83) 387 and 1935 (52) . Featherman, Krislov and Hall. 2010. The next 25 years : Affirmative action in higher education in the US and South Africa.
Featherman, Krislov and Hall (2010).
Address
4 University Avenue South,Upper Campus, Rondebosch
Campus
Upper
Latitude
-33.959997
Longitude
18.460641
Building Number
117
Building Code
1170
status
Owned

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Outside view of the Centlivres Building from University Avenue Image
Construction of the Centlivres Building on University Avenue during the 1950s Image
Architectural Library Image
Main Reading Room of the Architectural Library Image
Main Reading Room of the Architectural Library Image