By Bantu Ndiki

For most, it was a public holiday and a lovely long weekend, for students from the Alpha Student Residence, it was a wonderful event.

On the 27th of April 2023, Alpha Student Residence celebrated Freedom Day with an official opening function. Freedom Day is a South African holiday celebrated annually, to remember and commemorate the first ever democratic elections after 1994. This holiday forms part of twelve other public holidays under the Public Holidays Act (No.36 1994)

People celebrate this holiday in different ways, but the basis remains – to celebrate and honour the heroes and heroines that participated in activities to fight for the freedom of suppressed South Africans of colour, and paved the way for an equal and free society. The Alpha Student Residence Community decided to celebrate by hosting a braai for their students. The event consisted of a packed programme, with the highlight being a particularly important speech from Ethu Mkhalul, a final year Nelson Mandela University law student. Her speech outlined what the day meant to them as students and South Africans a whole.

A cook-off contest was one of the most sought-after activities. This was where the residents of the student community prepared dishes, from international cusisines to local spicy-flavoured dishes. The Alpha Formation team performed their routine wiith well-known song Sarafina, by Mbongengi Ngema.

Another highlight was the speech by residence manager Godfrey Grootboom, who officially welcomed the new students and outlined their mission on grooming students on a professional and personal level, for the better. He went on to mention how they highlight their students’ talents in homegrown programmes that they host frequently. A prime example of this was allowing students Bantu Ndiki and Michael Thuso to be the Masters of Ceremony (who did a terrific job).

Alpha Residence hopes that many others will follow in their footsteps and build tighter communities with the students.

Imagery/Photography:  Bantu Ndiki

Source: Bantu Ndiki

Caption: Freedom Day Celebration

Sources of Information: Bantu Ndiki

 
Posted on 27 April 2023 10:53:13


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