Music from South African songbird Vicky Sampson, an African flagwalk representing various countries on our continent, a drumming session and a culinary feast of exotic dishes await students and staff members on Monday, 29 September at the official opening of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Diversity Week celebrations.
Diversity Week, which was started in 2013, is all about celebrating diversity and inclusivity, and this year's theme is "Glocal is lekker". The event's logo has been adapted to depict the continent of Africa, and the celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa provides further context.
The official opening ceremony takes place from 13:00 to 14:00 on Monday. However, the African Flagwalk, organised by the Postgraduate & International Office (PGIO), will kick off at 12:45. Countries represented at the flagwalk will be Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Uganda and Nigeria.
"Those who want to take part can gather at the Wilcocks Building in front of the PGIO's offices at 12:30. International students will be carrying the flags but we'll also have smaller flags for other participants. Everyone is welcome," says Mr Werner de Wit, a coordinator at the PGIO.
"The plan is to walk down Ryneveld Street to opposite the Education Building, then around Admin A, past Industrial Psychology and Mathematics, to the Neelsie parking area and then past the Schumann-building to Victoria Street and then on to the Rooiplein."
Once on the Rooiplein, where a "Glocal Village" of specially erected tents and stalls will create a sense of community, staff and students will be treated to songs from Vicky Sampson, drumming, face painting and get an opportunity to try out traditional dishes from among others Kenya, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. These dishes will be served up at various stalls.
Other big names in the entertainment industry who have been lined up for Diversity Week include Desmond and the Tutus, Dans Dans Lisa and Crazy White Boy, as well as social commentators and comedians Chester Missing, Anne Hirsch and Deep Fried Man. They will be joined on stage by a variety of local performers. This year also sees a repeat of daily activities that worked well last year, including multi-coloured beaded bracelets that Maties can use to depict their multifaceted identity, and graffiti tables where they can freely express their thoughts on diversity.
New elements include, substantive discussions on such topics as inclusivity, gender, as well as staff and student culture, facilitated by the Centre for Mentor, Tutor and Leadership Development; a "lost sock" project to draw attention to aspects of the diversity debate that sometimes disappear, presented by the Listen, Live and Learn initiative; a penalty shootout between blindfolded soccer teams representing the African country of their choice; and the Student Representative Council's selfie booth for heaps of photo fun.
Diversity Week comes to and end on 3 October.
