When Sibongile Madi, a part time DUT lecturer heard Journalism Senior lecturer Dr Mikhail Peppas talk about the walks he does with first-year Journalism students, she also wanted her students to have the same experience.

Dr Peppas takes first-year Journalism students on stimulating walks around the city (Durban) where students learn about different cultures, languages, religions, societies as well as places that have historical and cultural significance. Students are also taught how to be streetwise as well as to have open minds about the daily lives of people living in the city. Dr Peppas divides the first-year class into two groups which have nine walks per semester.

Madi, a second-year Intercultural Studies Lecturer at the Language Practice and Translation and Interpreting Practice Programme, approached Dr Peppas for permission to do the same project with her students. Dr Peppas agreed, also suggesting that she ask some of the Journalism students who had done the walks to assist her on her project.

“The aim for the walks was for my students to learn about different cultures, not only in theory but to see people of different cultures working together”, she said.

Madi’s group of second-year Intercultural Studies students has had three walks this year. The first walk was done at the beginning of August this year. It started at the DUT ML Sultan Campus, proceeding to the Warwick Junction market and the traditional Muthi Market which extends from the Victoria Street Market, over the footbridges to the taxi ranks at Warwick triangle. There, students engaged with street vendors.

“I was nervous for taking 43 students to the market. I was concerned about their safety since the market area is perceived as not safe for walking. I was also nervous because I was doing something new”, said Madi.

On the second walk, the group visited the West Street Cemetery where they learned about a shrine and the history of the cemetery. Students saw the oldest graves dating back as early as 1909. During the third walk, students observed the new Durban street names and the history behind the names.
Tony Manyangadze, second-year Journalism student said he was overjoyed to be part of Madi’s walks because it reminded him about his walks at first-year. “It was exciting to be with the group. Not only were they excited to go out, but they were hungry for knowledge”, he said.

For Buyani Ngubane, second-year Language Practice student, the experience was a great learning curve. “Interacting with people of different cultures and religions that co-exist within a society, one understands and appreciates multiculturalism which is something you never (truly) learn in class”, he said.

Madi was impressed by the outcome of the walks, adding that she is keen to continue the project next year.

–Nomvula Sikakane
Caption: Second-year Language Practice students at the Durban Muthi Market, Victoria Street, during their Walk of Life.