The International Education and Partnerships Unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted International Week 2025, a vibrant celebration of diversity featuring various activities. The event’s final day took place at the Curries Fountain Sports Development Complex on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
The aim of the event is to provide a platform for cultural exchange and learning, where interactive stations will offer opportunities for students and staff to engage with and learn about different cultures, promoting intercultural understanding.
The Parade was led by DUT International Students and Local students including Clubs and societies from The Student Governance and Development Unit, namely: African Cultural Student Organisation (ACUSO), SADTU STUDENT Chapter, Transformed Academia Club of Tutors (TACT), and the General Consulate of India. These we the clubs who added value in terms of performances aimed to be achieved at the event.
Dr Lavern Samuels, the IEP Director at DUT, welcomed esteemed guests and shared that International Week was designed to celebrate internationalization and the beauty of human connection. He emphasised that the event brought people, cultures, and what makes them tick together, highlighting the importance of appreciating and celebrating differences in a world. Dr Samuels noted that despite their differences, people share a common humanity, which is reflected in universal joys like food, dance, and rhythm.
Dr Samuels said, “We don’t all have to be the same, but we do have to appreciate other differences and celebrate those differences in a world, for as long as the lion does not have a storyteller, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. We need to be those great storytellers of Africa, to take our story to the world, to celebrate it with each other, and to ensure that our history and our future is told through our lenses.”
The Global Village International Food Festival was a culinary extravaganza, featuring a diverse dish around the world. The festival showcased African delights from Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, and South Africa, alongside international flavors from China and India. This vibrant celebration of global cuisine offered a unique opportunity to experience the rich culinary heritage of various nations in one place. The Global food festival was led by the International Student Ogarnisation, the DUT Hospitality Department, The DUT Confucius Institute and the Food Nutrition Department.
The fashion showcase was a highlight, featuring talented Student Entrepreneurs from the DUT Innobiz- Centre of Entrepreneurship and Innovation designers namely: KSM Textiles, LO’UZRY, and UNSUITED. These designers presented their unique styles, blending creativity and flair to wow the audience with vibrant colours. It was followed by performances including Acuso girls, DUT Boys and Indian Consulate in Durban.
Dr Samuels presented a certificate of appreciation to Professor OZ Ersan, who expressed his gratitude and delight, sharing that he had a fantastic time in South Africa, where he experienced the country’s warm hospitality and vibrant culture for the first time.
Dr Nana Adu-Bempah Brobbey said he loved to be a part of this initiative and emphasised that diversity was about embracing differences in cultures, languages, foods, and traditions across the 54 African countries, including Ghana and South Africa, allowing people to come together despite their unique backgrounds.
He explained, “In Ghana, we believe in three things. The first thing we believe in is patriotism. The second one also is our hospitality. And the third, which is not the least, is building social capital.”
Dr Samuels concluded by thanking international guests, the Indian Consulate for their partnership, and DUT students for their active participation. He invited everyone to celebrate diversity, proudly highlighting the African flag.
Pictured: Attendees at the International Week 2025.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
