Awake the African Spirit Society hosts annual dinner

African fare: DVCs Prof Cheryl de la Rey (left) and Marin Hall (second from right) attended the Awake the African Spirit Society dinner.

The Awake the African Spirit Society has mooted for an annual Africa Week on campus.

This was presented at the second annual Awake the African Spirit dinner and lecture, held on October 6 at Kramer Law Building.

The concept is for the week marking Africa Day to be declared African Week during which each faculty, department or unit will choose a day suitable for them to undertake any activity in celebration of the continent.

The celebration might be in the form of a lunch-time seminar, evening village meeting, tea-time discussion, decorating the offices with African wares, or showing a short documentary.

There will also be lunch-time events on Jammie Plaza, organised by various societies and evening events in the residences.

The first African Week has been scheduled for May 20 to 27, 2007.

The dinner was over subscribed, with more than 120 guests, including the three of the deputy vice-chancellors: Professors Thandabantu Nhlapo, Cheryl de la Rey and Martin Hall.

One of the high points of the evening was a lecture on Afro-governance: Continentalism and Africa's emerging democratic regime, delivered by Dr Chris Landsberg, director of the Centre for Policy Studies in Johannesburg, and research professor at the University of Johannesburg.

Awake the African Spirit Society aims to contribute to and enhance UCT's vision of a world-class African university. It strives to give every member of the university community, regardless of nationality or ethnic affiliation, an opportunity to enjoy and share in the essence of Africa.

The society celebrates the African spirit on campus through culture, dress, dance, poetry, food, literature, and language.

For more information and / or participation in the Awake the African Spirit concept, please contact any of the following:

Thobela: 0834738026 - Secretary
Sphume: 0720237958 - Chairperson
Colins: 0825045252 - Co-ordinator