The North-West University’s (NWU) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently joined the rest of the African continent in celebrating the 54th annual Africa Day.
The campus’s celebration took on the form of a symbolic unity march, saw several keynote speakers take to the stage, included performances by various student bodies and, gave young entrepreneurs the opportunity to exhibit their products.
The campus’s celebration was a collaboration between the Office of the acting Vice-Rector – Prof Christopher Rabali, and the Department of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL).
At the starting point during registration, staff and students had the opportunity to share their suggestions and inputs – as it pertains to social cohesion and integration – by means of written notes placed in a suggestion box. All these suggestions will be considered and discussed by way of workshops and focus groups.
Apart from members of the campus community dressing up in traditional African attire, the event enjoyed a jovial atmosphere with song and dance – to the beat of African djembes. Several keynote speakers took to the stage, including: Prof Christopher Rabali (Welcoming), Dr Taty Mbaki (Multilingualism within the African continent), Prof Danie Meyer (The Economic Well-being of South Africa), Lesego More (CSRC Chairperson) and Niel Kruger (postgraduate student). Themes that were covered included the decolonising of the curriculum, multilingualism, peace and unity, the African economy and experiences of foreign nationals in South Africa and Africa.
During the event a prayer chain was formed and staff and students alike were given the opportunity to pray for South Africa and Africa. Whilst still holding hands, the event drew to a close with the singing of the national anthem.
* The origins of Africa Day can be traced back to the forming of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since then, 21 more nations have joined, and in 2001, the OAU became what is now known as the African Union (AU).
Thoko Tswaile and Louise Harmse (both from the Library) swapped their office wear for traditional African attire.
