Dr Mongane Wally Serote, world-renowned poet, writer and cultural activist was the keynote speaker at CPUT’s Africa Day celebrations on the Bellville campus on 25 May. Revered as one of the Soweto poets who embodied the literary revival of black voices in the 1970s, Serote is generally regarded as one of South Africa’s pre-eminent writers.

Africa Day is an annual occasion for African countries and institutions to commemorate and reflect on the growth and development of the continent. The celebrations mark the day when the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union, was formed 48 years ago, on May 25th, 1963.

Civic Engagement Manager Buntu Gwija, a member of the organising committee for Africa Day, says he’s delighted that an icon of Serote’s stature delivered the keynote address. “It's an honour to host Dr Serote, who has played such a proud and committed role in our country’s history. My wish is that we at CPUT, an institution that envisions becoming ‘the heart of technology and innovation in Africa’, can learn from him and use his teachings to forge a unique, shared sense of Africanised identity.”

A recent recipient of the President’s Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his ‘excellent contribution to literature, with emphasis on poetry and for putting his artistic talents at the service of democracy in South Africa’, Serote spoke on the topic of ‘African Renaissance as Anchored on Indigenous Knowledge Systems.’

In addition to Serote’s address, Hip-hop artist Kapital K provided entertainment during the event, and prizes were awarded to the best-dressed male and female who embodied the dress code theme – ‘Diversely African’.

By Thando J. Moiloa and Jan Weintrob.

Sources: www.en.wikipedia.org, www.thepresidency.gov.za
Photo source: www.townshiptimes.co.za

Written by CPUT News
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The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Nomaindiya Mfeketo will be one of the speakers at the Africa Day celebrations presented at the Bellville Campus by CPUT and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on May 26.

The theme of this year’s event is Telling African Stories.

Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 and sees the institution join the rest of the continent in celebration.

It commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25 1963.

 Zinzi Nkalitshana from the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships said well-known author, director and playwright Gcina Mhlophe will be the Master of Ceremonies at the event while Deputy Minister Mfeketo and Prof Kwandiwe Kondlo will be the speakers.

Mfeketo will speak on the topic of Rich Africa, Poor Africans and Kondlo on the topic of Telling African Stories.

The event will start at 15:00 and can be followed via live streaming at www.cput.ac.za.

On May 25 a series of activations was held at the Mowbray, Granger Bay, Cape Town and Bellville campuses to celebrate the day.

Dancers entertained staff and students and made them aware of the importance of day through song and dance.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Africa Day will be celebrated tomorrow on CPUT campuses to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity.

The OAU is now known as the African Union, but the day is still celebrated around the world in various ways.

This year CPUT has chosen the theme “Celebrating Africanness” and already students are describing what they think it means to be African on the CPUT Facebook page.

Keeping it short in a bid not to disrupt examinations, activations are curtailed to happen between 1pm and 2pm on the District Six and Bellville campuses. These include traditional dancing, poetry, drumming and interaction with an MC around the concept of Africanness.

Mowbray campus, look out for dancers to visit your campus between 12 pm and 1pm.

Granger Bay campus will be visited by the dancers between 2pm and 3pm.

All campuses should keep an eye out for a huge, travelling poster of Africa. International students are invited to place a pin on the map to show us where their hometown is situated.

On a more academic note, Fundani hosts the second Decolonisation Seminar tomorrow in the Seminar Hall on Bellville Campus. Entitled “Struggle for Epistemic Freedom in Africa: Deprovincialization and Decolonization” the seminar starts at 12.00 pm.

Professor Sabelo Ndlovu of Unisa will deliver the keynote address and Siya Sabata, CPUT lecturer responsible for the development of graduate attributes and curriculum transformation, will respond.

There is something to suite everyone’s mood this Africa Day so come and share in the celebration.

Written by Theresa Smith
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