Indigenous games, songs and riddles brought new meaning to the phrase “team spirit” when the Student Life department on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus held its second team-building session.

“Games are the glue that can connect people,” said Khumo Feni from the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, and one of the facilitators.

Student Life staff members put this principle into action throughout the day by taking part in games and other team-building activities aimed at encouraging them to understand and rely on each other.

Khumo took the participants down memory lane with the indigenous games, songs and riddles that many used to play when they were young. “I appreciated the interracial engagement of different employees from different backgrounds who were committed to working and playing together,” she said.

Dr Kezell Klinck and Elmarie Johnson from the School of Management Sciences further engaged the team in other activities and games such as the human knot, the hula hoop challenge, tug-of-war and the golden leaf tree. 

There was much laughter, excitement and a sense of accomplishment among Student Life participants, representing the Director’s Office, Arts and Culture, the radio station, Health Centre, Student Counselling and Development, Sports and Disability Rights.

Rick van Rooyen, senior manager for sports, highlighted the importance of working together. “A team that trusts each other and works together can achieve a lot more and make a greater impact”.

Jim Molaotsi, director for Student Life, noted that team building has brought his team closer together and quoted automobile manufacturer Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is a success."

Staff members from Student Life on the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus show their team spirit.