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Students present isiXhosa Cultural Production
Author: Pia Nänny
Published: 20/03/2017

​Various elements of the culture of the amaXhosa were celebrated in the first ever isiXhosa Cultural Production presented by Education students at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The aims of the production were, among others, to showcase the uniqueness of the culture, create a richer and lasting learning opportunity for all participants and encourage collaborative knowledge acquisition.

The participants ranged from second-year BEd to Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students. Most of them speak isiXhosa as a third language, especially the Xhosa Communication 378 & 388 groups which formed the majority of the performers. The organisers of the event consulted widely to ensure an appropriate and sensitive approach to the various topics.

The production was hosted in a tent on the grass in front of Nerina residence and constituted a "classroom outside the formal classroom environment".

Guests included Prof Maureen Robinson, Dean of the Faculty of Education, as well as staff members from SU's Transformation Office and various other SU departments, centres and units.

Dr Michael le Cordeur, chairperson of the Department of Curriculum Studies, described the production as a "historic event" and applauded the initiative.

"A morning like this is very important if we want to prove that we are serious about indigenous languages. SU has committed itself to support and develop isiXhosa and this production is an important step at the right moment."

Topics touched on by the various groups included music, traditional and contemporary dancing, the headdress and facial decorations, preparing food and having a meal, the value of family, marriage customs, the significance of amaXhosa in the history of the Shosholoza song, ancient traditional music and singing, naming practices, and architecture.

Prof Robinson said it was very impressive to see the quality of the work, the good spirit, the teamwork amongst the very large and diverse group of students, and most of all, the respect afforded to issues of language and culture.  

"I am sure that students will have learnt much from this that they can take into their future work as teachers," she added.