Celebrating Africa Day

The Africa Day episode explores the importance of celebrating African identity, unity and cultural diversity. It also challenges stereotypes, addresses issues such as xenophobia, and emphasises the values of Ubuntu and belonging. This episode shows how Africa Day creates a space for people from different backgrounds to learn from one another, appreciate their differences and recognise that despite their diverse cultures, they share a common African identity. 

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Intro and Headlines

SPEAKER_01 0:13

And the spirit of U.S. To change features that inspire. This is CPUT Live. CPUT Live.

SPEAKER_17 0:24

Hello, CPUT, and welcome to another episode of CPUT Live. I'm your host, Milisa Khaleza, and today we bring you a special edition in celebration of Africa Day. Every year on the 25th of May, Africans across the continent and the diaspora commemorate Africa Day, a day that celebrates our shared history, cultural diversity, resilience, and unity. It is a reminder of where we come from, how far we've come, and the future we're building together. Recently, students and staff gathered at CPUT's Belleville campus to showcase the rich cultures, traditions, and languages that make Africa such a vibrant and diverse continent.

SPEAKER_14 1:05

Oh, so I'm here representing the Basutu culture.

SPEAKER_17 1:35

In this special feature, you'll hear from students, staff members, and exhibitors who shared their perspectives on African identity and why events like these matter now more than ever, especially in a world where polarization has become ingrained in the social fabric, a world where our differences are weaponized to stir xenophobic sentiments by those with the loudest voices in the echelons of society. Let's take you there.

Africa Day

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Every day should be Africa Day. Our students come from all corners of the world. And we cannot assume that we are in South Africa, we are in Africa when we don't embrace African identity.

SPEAKER_03 3:22

The day is not only celebrated by those with African lineage. Sharice Mangiagali is the student development officer at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. She shares what celebrating African culture looks like as someone with largely Italian heritage.

SPEAKER_02 3:41

Being Italian or having Italian heritage and celebrating Africa Day, I think is a bit far apart in terms of the cultures and what the cultures represent. However, Africa Day on its own, I think embraces culture and embraces diversity, it embraces heritage. And I think the importance of today is to remind us that we need to celebrate who we are. We need to indulge in where we come from and we need to embrace our different heritages.

SPEAKER_03 4:08

Bonto Kuba is a third-year sports and leisure management student. She was among those who had set up a store to celebrate Sutu culture.

SPEAKER_14 4:16

Well, I feel very fortunate to come here and exhibit the Basutu culture because I feel like in the Western Cape, there's quite a number of few Basutu people here, so it's quite an honor for me to be here and answering all the questions that I was asked about.

SPEAKER_03 4:31

From food, attire, and even currency, students like Bonzo imparted knowledge about their ways of life to spectators and fellow participants from other tribes and nations. But one Sutu student, Toluana, stole the show with her Mokibo. This is a traditional dance performed only by women. Its intricate moves require the dancer to kneel down while shaking their shoulders. Her moves were remarkably impressive. This very dance resulted in her winning first place, and so we asked her to share a cultural song with us.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

And if you just give them the provision, as like as like we describe masculinity in African culture, providing and being the leader in the house, then everything will be submitted to you.

SPEAKER_03 5:46

Her connection to music is one the African people know very well. Both form an integral part of our cultures across the continent, transcending both race and background. Sharice reminisces about her years studying African music and dance.

SPEAKER_02 6:03

I studied music and dance. And my focus was particularly on African dance and African music. And like I mentioned earlier, my lecturer was very shocked to see me on the first day and say to me, Oh, Mlungu, you're in the wrong space. Because automatically this white girl, you know, was the idealistic or the idealism of it was that she was supposed to be in the in the ballet class. But being in a space where I could, you know, indulge in what African music and dance was really, you know, broadened my understanding and appreciation for not only the continent, but for what the people are about.

SPEAKER_03 6:41

That experience fueled her passion even more. Her presence in that class challenged stereotypes about which people belong in which spaces, reinforcing the idea that creativity is not limited to identity. The desire to learn from others and share art is what makes Africa Day such a unique holiday.

SPEAKER_02 7:01

With all its strictness and, you know, like I said, the rigid behavior or the rigid understanding of what ballet was, um was just not for me. So I think I enjoy more stepping outside of the box, breaking barriers, breaking, you know, what these idealisms around these specific areas are. And always wanted to learn more about, you know, what our people are and what our people are about. Um, you know, being a specific race in a specific country doesn't always mean that you need to stick to those, you know, ideologies of what they should be. Um, you know, within Africa, we embrace so much diversity, we embrace so many different cultures, religions, races, genders. So why not learn about them? You know, I think it's always important to step out of our comfort zones. It's important to also, by doing that, respect and appreciate who people are.

SPEAKER_03 7:51

Elegance and pride appear to be common themes among the exhibitors. At the stall, showcasing swati culture, Rotando Kosa unpacks her beautiful attire. The bold cloth called Lihia was adorned by vibrant black and yellow tones which brought warmth to the festivities.

SPEAKER_05 8:10

Okay, name lanzany.

SPEAKER_03 8:34

Students stood at the campus grounds looking the sharpest in iconic traditional blankets and distinct straw hats, symbolizing a deep connection to their roots.

SPEAKER_11 8:58

You will find it in on our flag, which is Mukoroto, named by Mokoroto, then the blanket, which was the gift from Queen Victoria during those uh years of wars, as we use it as some as a symbol for us.

SPEAKER_03 9:12

No tribe was left behind. The Kosa culture is vividly represented on campus, with students and staff uh wearing striking traditional garments featuring heavy cotton fabrics such as Imipa and intricate beadwork called In Russia. We meet Musa Ngaziwa, who shares the significance of behind her look.

SPEAKER_16 9:35

Okay, let me start with Iqriayam. Yes, I saw I saw we should be born. Yeah, because I'm gonna okay, fine. We'll start with Iqri Ayam, it's known as staff. So usually is staff, you know, Gaba Fazi, Abba Abachagazi, Abantabentile, those who um who are married, you're born yeah, and then you know this yellow beads over here, yeah, and this is uh beads are known as Amakamaku, so they are my traditional classes, yes. So Amakamaku, and over here is the animal skin. So this is ecoat skin attached here. So this skin is benefit, and then this this is actually this is a bag, you know what this is it does, yeah. But so you can't be able to put it into, but then I decided by us in Don Tana, I I have to look beautiful, so man tete it as well, yes, and then okay, fine, though, like this is a skate, basically.

SPEAKER_03 10:53

Amidst the beauty and the liveliness of our cultures, there are many misconceptions that run rampant. From people saying vendor people practice witchcraft to the idea that tosa woman like money, these stereotypes define our perceptions of each other. Tolwana shares one misconception that is common about Soutu people.

SPEAKER_04 11:15

People tend to say that we eat a horse. Because a horse is one of the most important type of a domestic animal to us.

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In this vein, the current relationship between South Africa and other African nations has been brought into question. Amanda Ismail, the HOD of the disability unit, reflects on the xenophobic attacks that are tearing us apart.

SPEAKER_13 11:40

It's very sad what is happening at the moment. Um we have the phrase Ubuntu, um, and it is something that our forefathers they have taught, they have instilled in us. Um so definitely um I think this showcase also that uh we are not xenophobic, we are accepting of all cultures, of all countries. Um, so I think it it is a step in the right direction and it uh there's a positive um message. There's not one country that is higher and that is more important than the other. For me, my my view is that we are all African and that should be celebrated.

SPEAKER_03 12:23

It's events like these that can help bridge the gaps between one another. Alane, one exhibitor who helped paint one of the vibrant artworks displayed, adds his final thoughts of the day and what it means in connecting Africans across the board.

SPEAKER_10 12:39

I think it reminds us that we aren't really enemies, you know. We do have a common commonality between us that we need to celebrate. So events like this are very important. But the thing is, I feel like we people who are attending these events are people who are appreciating that, but the ones who are not here are the ones who are actually causing the friction, the chaos, and all that. So I think maybe we need to get like a um a higher outreach in a sense, have more people be aware of what's happening and um these kinds of cultures.

SPEAKER_03 13:10

As the day is coming to a close, the crowd is gathering to congratulate the winning stores. With each exhibition, students went out of their way to educate themselves about their neighbors. They prepared food, decorated boards, displayed clothing, and knew some interesting facts about their chosen countries.

SPEAKER_06 13:31

So the third price, the third price, I won't be the two things of the table.

SPEAKER_03 15:14

The HOD of the Student Engagement Development and Training Unit, Dr. Melanie Swanson, whose mixed background has shaped her passion for unity, shares her final remarks.

SPEAKER_15 15:26

I think for me the most important thing is a sense of belonging. Really knowing that I belong here. I am an African. I am proudly South African, and also to send out a positive message. We know there's a lot happening in the world at the moment. There's a lot of things happening at the moment, and somehow we need to feel at home in where we are at, and also the fact that we can also send out a positive message to people, and including a message of hope, to say, look, yes, we have all these problems, but at the end of the day, we are one continent, and that is Africa.

SPEAKER_07 16:04

Sound of drums, the spirit of the tribe, dance with me beneath the bay of the trees where the stories unfold. Sound of the jambbeck goes through the bowl. From here goes to Africa.

Outro and Credits

SPEAKER_17 16:20

What a powerful reminder that Africa is not just a place, it's a collection of stories, cultures, languages, and people who continue to shape the world in remarkable ways. As we've heard throughout this feature, celebrating Africa means celebrating diversity, learning from one another, and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. Whether through music, dance, food, language, or storytelling, Africa Day reminds us that our differences are not barriers, they are strength. Thank you for joining us for the special Africa Day edition of CPUT Live. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to rate this podcast, share, and subscribe. And if you're feeling generous, please leave a comment. We'd love to hear from you. I'm your host, Miles Thaliza. This feature was narrated and written by our chief script editor, Owen Dandozant, along with Balesamolo, Bales Ngambulem, Awe Tumkaza, and our producer, Nojat Lama Shaban. Sound assembling and editing by Oku Tema Kaula and Uviwen Jagaza. Mixing and mastering by our executive producer, Magnificent Mdebele. From all of us here at CPUT Live, happy Africa Day, and until next time, stay informed, inspired, and connected.