Soar like a true Tukkie

Say hello to Masey, our high-flying mascot that continually strives to do better and be better.

TuksSport at the University of Pretoria (UP) recently introduced its new mascot to the University community – a bateleur eagle (which is native to southern Africa) provisionally named Masey.

“The mascot is a high flyer and continually strives to do better and be better,” said Angelica van Dou, Marketing and Communications Manager at TuksSport. Masey’s stand-out features are fluffy black hair, a big red beak, and a graduation cap.

“The new mascot is tenacious in their pursuit of their ideals of being a true Tukkie.”

Notably, the mascot is gender-neutral.

“In line with University efforts to create an inclusive/non-conforming gender landscape, we felt that introducing a gender-neutral mascot was what was called for,” Van Dou said. “We wanted each UP student, athlete and community member to see themselves in the mascot and be able to identify with a symbol we are being very mindful about introducing.”

Van Dou stressed the significance of having a mascot. “Having a mascot is an opportunity to communicate the values of an organisation through a character. It will enable students to build a deeper affinity with the University, TuksSport and related campaigns by being the physical embodiment of concepts and values that are sometimes tricky to articulate.”

The mascot’s predecessor, Oom Gert, played an interesting role in the UP community many years ago. Oom Gert is a tall brown statue inspired by Oom Paul, a figure that stood outside a tobacco shop in Pretorius Street in the centre of Pretoria. From 1932 to 1950, residences at the University would raid other residences in order to steal Oom Gert. “The new mascot earned their stripes from Oom Gert and has the important responsibility of carrying on the legacy of the Tukkie spirit into a new age,” Van Dou said.

Unlike Oom Gert, the new mascot will not be subject to residence raids but rather be more like a campus influencer. “Masey will make appearances at UP events, sports fixtures as well as across the social calendar of the UP community.”