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Call for contributions: 2020 International Cultural Diversity Festival

09 September 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath | Photo istock

On 24 September 2020, South Africa will be celebrating Heritage Day. For the 25th anniversary of this celebration, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions in the wider context of a country that belongs to all its people. Dr Chitja Twala, Vice Dean: Faculty of Humanities at the UFS, alludes: “The importance of the day is that we must celebrate who we are and learn from each other.” The University of the Free State (UFS) has a long tradition of commemorating Heritage Day and the ideas underpinning it. One way in which the UFS celebrates and recognises the tapestry of its diverse cultures represented on its campuses is through its International Cultural Diversity Festival hosted by the Office for International Affairs.

Pursuant to the tremendous challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic globally, this year, the International Cultural Diversity Festival will be celebrated in a virtual format. Even during this uncertain time, it is important to find time to celebrate our uniqueness and to appreciate one another’s heritage and culture in the spirit of our humanity.

For the 2020 Heritage month celebrations, let us share elements about ourselves that make us proud of who we are! Since the International Cultural Diversity Festival will be celebrated virtually, a call is hereby extended for all to share their unique experiences with us, such as that family recipe that only your grandma could make; or a song that only your mum could sing so well; that traditional regalia you got for your uncle’s wedding; or the tale that your grandfather shared with you every time you visited.

Contributions can take the format of recorded performing arts performances (e.g. a play, music or poetry reading), virtual visual art presentations, and written poetry or lyrics. Articles in the form of thought and opinion pieces and topical academic writings, which can also be published in mainstream media, are also invited. These should comprise a maximum of 1 200 words.

Please e-mail your contributions to Bulelwa Moikwatlhai at MaloB@ufs.ac.za by Friday 18 September 2020.

News Archive

UFS Council approves Moshoeshoe memorial lecture

2004-11-29

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the implementation of a Moshoeshoe memorial lecture as from next year.

“This initiative forms part of the bigger Moshoeshoe project to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. The project was launched in April 2004 as part of the UFS centenary celebrations. One element of the project was the production of a documentary film, commissioned by the UFS, which was broadcast on SABC2,” says Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“The Moshoeshoe project, which honours the founder of the Basotho nation’s example of nation-building and reconciliation, is a practical demonstration of the university’s commitment to the continued transformation of the campus and the creation of a new inclusive institutional culture for all staff and students,” says Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie the memorial lecture will have a conscious continental focus with speakers from South Africa, Africa and the African diaspora.

“The high-level lectures will raise critical issues about models of African leadership for the African Renaissance and will contribute to the discourse on nation-building, reconciliation, political tolerance, diversity management etc,” says Prof Fourie.

The first Moshoeshoe memorial lecture is likely to take place in March 2005 on the anniversary of his death.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

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