Students from the Ithemba Bridging Programme and Phadisa Academic Programme brought Hertiage Day to Zandspruit.
On Friday 27 September they were at the Emthonjeni Community Centre to share a traditional poitjiekos meal with children and the elderly. The students took no shortcuts and did everything the traditional way, using potjie pots to conjure up all sorts of delicious things. Students competed for the best meal and were judged by lecturers from both programmes as well as a representative from Emthonjeni.
Programmes marketing manager Loma Botha explained that their Heritage Day celebration at Emthonjeni aimed to instill a sense of giving back. “This is an annual event we have, we want them [the students] to learn to share with those less fortunate than them.”
More than 150 people received a hot meal and elderly residents who attend literacy classes at the centre prepared various dishes and shared their own unique cultural foods with their fellow residents.
Student Lufuno Makwarela really felt the difference they made in the lives of the people they fed. “You could see how happy they were with the food and that showed that our efforts were not in vain.”
Ithemba Bridging Programme students are Bcom graduates on training for workplace skills and the Phadisa Academic Programme assists in gaining a university entrance.
