​​​"Maties Diversity changed the way I think and act around people on campus. I sure won't be going back (to the old way)." 

This is just one of many positive comments on Twitter following last week's Diversity Week celebrations at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The University's week-long diversity celebrations came to an end on Friday night with the first ever Festival of Colours (video) held in Stellenbosch. Hundreds of Maties descended on Victoria Street on Friday to participate in this festival. Popular band Draadkar and MFM DJs were responsible for the festive atmosphere while students, lecturers and even a few children threw coloured powder at each other.

"This past week we got to know each other better and celebrated our diversity," Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor said on Friday evening. "We realised we liked the same music, we listen to the same DJs and tonight we even look the same." He also thanked the task team and everyone involved in the arrangements for the week, and added that it will become an annual event.

• Click here​ for a video of Friday evening's Festival of Colours.
  

According to Prof Botman, the idea for the first ever celebration of diversity at SU was born from a desire to expand and improve the concept and implementation of inclusivity at Maties.

"We need to understand the difference between transformation and inclusivity. The general perception is that transformation is focused on race. Inclusivity is a better theme because it is relevant to all people of all races, sexual orientations, religions, cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds and a myriad other things that make us diverse yet unique. With the diversity week celebrations we tried to get people to understand what inclusivity and diversity is all about. The week gave staff and students a platform to celebrate diversity and inclusivity."

At an interactive discussion session with students and staff last week, Prof Botman said the SU has established a Centre for Inclusivity and that Diversity Week celebrations are just the beginning. "These celebrations give us an opportunity to interact and hear what you have to say and also show you that we mean business. I know that we won't get changes done unless we know exactly what it is that we want to change, so every e-mail, every tweet and every phonecall are important and give us an idea of what to focus on," he added.

Amongst others, last week's celebrations included interactive public art projects, a colloquium and a soapbox where Maties could reflect on issues around diversity. Entertainment was provided by well-known comedians Marc Lottering and Siv Ngesi, and music by Die Heuwels Fantasties, DJ Fresh, the Maties Kleinsêr winners and other local performers.