The International Education and Partnerships Directorate at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership with the DUT Library will be hosting two events in celebration of Africa Day 2022. The celebrations will resume with a Guest Lecture featuring the renowned author and journalist, Dr Ismail Lagardien via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, 25 May 2022 from 11h00 to 15h00.
Dr Lagardien’s keynote address will be based on his recently published book: Ismail Lagardien’ s memoir: Too White to be Coloured, Too Coloured to be Black. This is a hybrid narrative, blending memoir with social commentary and political analysis. Always in search of “home”, the book tracks Lagardien’s vast experiences of a deeply lived life, always against a backdrop of “unbelonging” – first as a reporter in the turbulent 80s, to studying economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), then achieving a doctorate at the University of Wales, to working as a speechwriter at the World Bank in Washington.
Africa Day (formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day) is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world. The month of May has received recognition in the continent as the Africa Month.
This year’s appointed theme by the African Union (AU) is “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.” However, this lecture will focus on the promotion and celebration of African literature. Highlighting books by African authors, African researchers and academic writers and their contribution towards African literature, language, and indigenous knowledge in Higher Education and through media.
The team will host another exciting celebration, at the Curries Fountain Sports Ground on Friday, 27 May 2022 from 11h00 to 15h00. Delivering a speech on this year’s theme will be Ms Lisebo Mothepu, lecturer in the Department of Food and Nutrition at DUT.
The discipline of Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition at DUT assists consumers in using resources to make healthy lifestyle choices. It highlights the need for a healthy diet and good quality, safe food. To produce active and reflective graduates with a sound knowledge of food and nutrition. The programme integrates the study fields of food and nutrition, whilst academic learning is complemented by the development of culinary skills, ethics, effective communication and critical citizenry. This enables the integration and application of knowledge, as well as skill and value development in an authentic setting. Further study would enable graduates to perform as food researchers and developers, manage food operations or market food products in the retail and production industries. There is further scope to conduct research in the food and consumer science fields to enhance the quality of life of the consumer which aligns with the call for this year’s theme by the African Union.
This year’s celebrations will be celebrated as a blended concept, enabling both the academic perspective and social interaction which will include the Durban community organisations to celebrate amongst the DUT staff and students.
Pictured: Dr Ismail Lagardien, who will be the keynote speaker at DUT’s Africa Day Guest Lecture. (Picture Credit: www.heraldlive.co.za)
Philiswa Mncube and Simangele Zuma
