Heritage Day is inspiring celebrations for the cultural societies at Stellenbosch University (SU). With food, dance, panel discussions, and performances, the societies are creating the space to celebrate their cultural identities, often through raising funds themselves.
Vendas in Stellies was established in 2024 “with the purpose of celebrating Venda culture and educating people who are not Tshivenda-speaking about our culture, traditions and heritage”, says Phophi Muhadi, the 2026/2027 chairperson of Vendas in Stellies. The members in the society from left: Vhulenda Nephiphidi, Mulanga Phuravhathu, Phophi Muhadi, Akonaho Nemakonde, Mulanga Madzunye. PHOTO: Emma Giles
Amongst other events, Vendas in Stellies will be participating in an intervarsity Venda society collaboration with the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, said Phophi Muhadi, the 2026/2027 chairperson of Vendas in Stellies.
“There will be dancing, cultural activities and lots of opportunities for us to celebrate and enjoy our heritage together,” said Muhadi.
The Bapedi.Batswana.Basotho Society will be hosting an event with the overall theme “Bana ba sebele se lengoe,” which translates to “children of the same womb” in celebration of all three cultures which have shared histories, values and cultural threads, said Khutso Maja, the 2026/2027 chairperson of the society. The event will include panel discussions as well as traditional food, music and dance, he said,
Additionally, the SU Zulu Society performed an item at the industrial engineering department on 22 September to “showcase the beauty and pride of the Zulu culture”, said Simphiwe Ngema, the 2026/2027 chairperson.
Simphiwe Ngema, the 2026/2027 chairperson of the Zulu Society says he plans to “create an environment where relationships go beyond the society and where nobody is a stranger”. PHOTO: Emma Giles
SU’s International Food Evening will see the Namibian Society of SU’s (NAMSSU) contribution in traditional Namibian food, “giving people an opportunity to experience a small taste of Namibia” and learn more about their culture, said Juandré Sem, the 2026/2027 chairperson of NAMSSU. Some traditional Namibian food includes pap, beef potjie and kapana, a Namibian variation of shisanyama, she said.
Xhosa communities usually celebrate Heritage Day by wearing traditional clothing, sharing indigenous food and performing traditional music and dance, said Sinoyolo Cishe, the secretary of the SU Xhosa Society.
These activities aim to “honour uBuntu (humaneness), oral traditions and collective participation”, she said. In Xhosa heritage, community is not only defined as a group of people but also an active practice that can be described by the proverb Izandla ziyahlambana, meaning hands wash each other, said Cishe.
However, their preparations for Heritage Day are limited due to a lack of funding, said Cishe. She added that the SU Xhosa Society would appreciate any donations or sponsorships towards the society.
According to Katlego Matale, the societies council chairperson, “societies do not receive a standard or automatic funding allocation from the University simply by virtue of being affiliated societies”.
However, they can establish membership fees that can be processed through the university’s system allowing for “a degree of financial autonomy”, she said.
Vendas in Stellies, a society at Stellenbosch University perform this gesture as “a cultural expression of humility, honour, and deference”. It is done out of respect for respected community members such as elders and leaders, says Phophi Muhadi, the 2026/2027 chairperson of Vendas in Stellies (centre). PHOTO: Emma Giles
In the case of Vendas in Stellies, funds are raised through registration fees from members, donations from alumni, and sponsorship, said Muhadi.
The role of the Societies Council is to provide a space where societies are able to “represent their communities and contribute meaningfully to student life” rather than to take complete ownership over their work, said Matale.
The societies welcome students to join their celebrations for a cultural exchange. They would also appreciate donations or contributions towards their fundraising effort. Those interested in supporting them can reach out through their respective Instagram pages.