The value of African heritage

On Friday, 24 May, IIE MSA, a brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE), celebrated Africa Day at its campus in Ruimsig, with its students leading the activities, which included inspiring African speakers, cooking traditional fare, food tasting and a best dressed competition, to name a few.

Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, now the AU) since its inception on May 25, 1963. On this important day, the continent celebrates African Unity.

IIE MSA students enjoyed an array of activities alongside their lecturers and staff. The High Commissioner for Ghana, George Ayisi-Boateng, was represented by Hilda Hinidza-Elluh, Minister-Councillor for Information, Public and Diaspora Affairs. She joined the students and addressed the guests about the need for Africans to remain united, regardless of the challenges that they are facing. She also discussed practical steps that need to be taken by the youth toward building a great Africa.

“The role of African youth toward peace-building, growth and the development of our great continent is of utmost importance,” Hilda said, on behalf of the High Commissioner.

Attendees also had the opportunity to listen to and be inspired by innovative guest speaker, Daniel Thebe, an award-winning innovative thought leader focusing on African brand communication and reputation management.

An IIE MSA alumnus, Simone Rambarun was asked what Africa Day means to her, having attended such a multi-cultural campus, and she mentioned that ‘wholeness’ immediately sprang to mind.

Simone said, “For me, Africa Day represents a celebration of how far we have come, but it is also a reminder of how much more we can achieve together”.

One of IIE MSA’s academics, Bimo Nkhata: Director of the Water Research Node, said, “Africa Day is a time for reflection. A time to reflect on the true nature and character of the people of Africa, who are a people with a rich history and amazing cultural heritage. We are a people endowed with abundant natural resources. The day allows us to reminiscence about our African liberation history, economic emancipation and continued struggles for the ever-evading prosperity. Among these challenges, there is still massive hope and abundant optimism. A hope for assured victory. As we celebrate this important day, I wish all my African brothers and sisters good health and Ubuntu spirit.

“IIE MSA is a proudly African campus, with over 50 nationalities on campus. We encourage all our students to celebrate their heritage and culture. The day was a great success and it is encouraging to see a campus that is so united in embracing each of our cultures with fellow students from all over Africa and the world,” said Professor Alwyn Louw, President and Academic President of IIE MSA.