An Indigenous Knowledge Edu-Expo was recently held at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Riverside Campus in Pietermaritzburg. The event was organised by the Department of Ecotourism, under the helm of lecturer, Thulile Ndlovu.
The purpose of the event was to showcase more on the knowledge systems which are vital in shaping and defining societies.
“The aim of the Expo was to integrate community engagement in assessment practices, foster active learning amongst the students, and overall, to align the Department of Ecotourism with the strategic focus of DUT, particularly through community engagement,” said Ndlovu.
She further added that the tasks for the Indigenous Edu Expo 2019 were two-fold. Under the theme: Preserving Indigenous Knowledge Through Ecotourism, the first session comprised of a formal information-sharing session about indigenous knowledge whilst the second session was the exhibition of various themes within indigenous knowledge.
In attendance at the event were Mr Innocent Nkosinathi Khanyile (keynote speaker), Mr Sbonelo Nzimande (guest speaker), Mr Zulu (guest speaker), Riverside Campus academic and support staff, representatives from the Department of Human Settlements and local schools from the uMsunduzi Municipality.
“The motivation behind involving local schools in the Indigenous Knowledge Edu-Expo extends beyond information-sharing on the significance of indigenous knowledge, but it also served as an ideal platform to market the Department of Ecotourism and ultimately brand DUT,” she said excitedly.
DUT’s Innocent Nkosinathi Khanyile gave a keynote address at the event, under the theme: “Preserving indigenous knowledge through ecotourism”. Mr Sbonelo Nzimande, Chief Director from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, also delivered an address on the significance of indigenous knowledge in tourism development, the creation of unique and lucrative business opportunities and delved into work-integrated learning.
The second session of the Indigenous Knowledge Expo was characterised by exhibitions designed and hosted by the students embracing a variety of themes within indigenous knowledge. Following the success of the Indigenous Knowledge Edu-Expo 2019, the Chief Director of the KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sbonelo Nzimande made a recommendation to the National Department of Tourism that the DUT third-year Ecotourism students participate in the World Tourism Day celebrations, which was held on 27 September 2019, at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, Midlands.
There were 50 Ecotourism students who excitedly participated and attended workshops in preparation for the event. Ndlovu, together with DUT’s Robert Thema, helped to assist in the facilitation and chaperoning the students. The students from the Department of Ecotourism were part of the live exhibitions that showcased the different careers in the tourism industry. This was aligned to this year’ theme: Tourism and jobs – a better future for all.
“Our students had a key role to play in creating the spectacle for the World Tourism Day celebration. They had to dress-up in costumes that represented the many careers within the multi-sectoral tourism industry,” said Ndlovu.
To honour the participation of the Department of Ecotourism, and in particular, the DUT students, the Minister (Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane) gave a certificate to the department as acknowledgment of the students’ and the department’s participation in the World Tourism Day event.
Ndlovu said the overall experience of hosting an expo and being part of the World Tourism Day celebrations, positively impacted on students’ academic learning as well as improved students’ ability to apply what they have learnt in “the real world.”
Pictured: DUT Ecotourism students with the Chief Director-EDTEA: Mr Sbonelo Nzimande, Minister of Tourism in South Africa: Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and the MEC: Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ms Nomusa-Dube Ncube.
Thulile Ndlovu/Waheeda Peters
