UKZN Celebrates International Cultural Day!

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My Heritage My Pride was the theme of UKZN’s Cultural Day this year. Comprising dazzling and stimulating performance items and information sharing sessions, the event celebrated students’ talents in the performing arts while it also served to highlight cuisine from around the world.

Students from more than 14 countries participated in the array of activities, which included Congolese, Brazilian, Indian, Namibian, Zimbabwean, Mozambican, Nigerian and South African dances; a Zimbabwean totem recital; an Ethiopian Coffee presentation and poetry recitals.

Addressing the audience, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UKZN, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld expressed delight at the proceedings and pledged his support for the initiative.

‘As an international student, you add immensely to the richness and variety to the melting pot of cultures at UKZN. We are delighted to have you here at our Institution; we would be all the poorer without your presence. At UKZN, you will experience the true richness of South Africa and all its cultures, and be exposed to a range of South African research projects and community issues. You will have the chance to become critically engaged in South African society.’

Guests were also treated to a variety of interactive activities, including traditional Xhosa face painting. Students from India also performed rangoli, an art form in which patterns are created using different materials such as coloured rice, flour, sand as well as flower petals. The students also treated guests to body art from India called mehndi, in which decorative designs are created using a paste made from powdered dry henna leaves.

Another exciting component was a unique art piece by Ayonotic Artistry, a team of students from UKZN who are fast capturing the imagination of our University space. Congolese-born guitarist, singer-songwriter Gloire Espoir Mapenzi also captivated the audience with his unique renditions, which got audiences jiving!

Speaking on behalf of students, Mr Sombe Joel Yondo, President of the International Students Association at UKZN said, ‘Cultural diversity makes South Africa stronger and better able to compete in the new global economy. People from diverse cultures bring language skills, new ways of thinking, creative solutions to difficult problems and negotiating skills. The event serves to create new opportunities for social and cultural interactions, promoting international and intercultural exchange as well as co-operation in the cultural sphere by promoting a dynamic cultural heritage that is preserved, used and developed. Moreover, we are so glad to have this cultural event this year at UKZN.’

Long serving member of staff, International Student Officer, Ms Vanuja Krishna was also honoured and presented with a token of appreciation for her contribution at UKZN. Krishna will start enjoying her well-deserved retirement at end of 2017.

Extending thanks to UKZN for bringing both local and international students together through the event, Yondo said, ‘We found the experience very valuable by sharing our homes in South Africa. Cultural diversity makes South Africa richer by making it a more interesting place in which to live. Just think how boring a meal would be without, for instance, Zimbabwean, Brazilian, Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Congolese or Indian food! It is always a good choice to have a cultural diversity celebration and to bring people from different parts of world together as we believe more in what can unite people to be greater than what can divide them.’

Words: Rakshika Sibran