Threads of Heritage: Celebrating the cultures that connect us at UCT

The University of Cape Town (UCT) International Office brought students and staff together on 2 October 2026 for Threads of Heritage, a celebration of cultural diversity, identity and belonging. Through conversation, storytelling, music and interactive cultural experiences, the event created a space for the university community to reflect on the cultures that shape us and the shared experiences that bring us together.

Organised as part of UCT’s Heritage Month celebrations, the event highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive university environment where individuals from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed, respected and valued.

More than a cultural celebration, Threads of Heritage encouraged participants to engage with important questions surrounding identity, belonging and cultural norms, while recognising the role that dialogue and shared experiences play in building stronger communities.

Creating space for meaningful conversations

A central feature of the programme was Heritage in Conversation, facilitated by guest speaker Khairoonisa Foflonker, Manager of Student Affairs at Stellenbosch University and a UCT alumna.

Foflonker opened the discussion by reflecting on the origins of Heritage Day in South Africa and its intention to celebrate the country’s diversity and foster national unity. She challenged participants to consider two important questions: What does Heritage Day mean to us, and whose heritage are we celebrating?

The reflections resonated with students, who shared their own experiences and the complexities of navigating cultural identities shaped by history, ancestry and lived experience.

The conversation also explored what it means to be African and who is included or excluded from this identity. Students questioned whether African identity is defined by birthplace, ancestry, appearance or a sense of belonging, highlighting the diverse experiences of those living on the continent and within the African diaspora.

Foflonker further challenged participants to consider Afrophobia and xenophobia, noting that discrimination and exclusion extend beyond nationality and can affect people from different racial and cultural backgrounds.

Interim Director of the International Office Emeritus Professor Danie Visser, in his welcome remarks, reminded participants that one’s heritage is intrinsically connected to one’s story. He encouraged students to reflect on former President Thabo Mbeki’s landmark “I Am an African speech”, delivered in 1996 when Mbeki was Deputy President of South Africa, as a powerful expression of African identity and belonging.

The discussion concluded with Foflonker reflecting on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, encouraging participants to recognise one another’s humanity and appreciate the differences that contribute to a shared community.

For a university that welcomes students from across South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world, these conversations remain particularly relevant to the international student experience and the broader campus community.

Experiencing heritage through creativity and connection

Beyond the discussions, Threads of Heritage provided opportunities for participants to experience and share cultural traditions through a range of creative and interactive activities.

The programme featured face change dancing performances, drumming, painting and poetry, providing a platform for local and international students to share their perspectives and lived experiences.

The Confucius Institute also participated in the celebration, contributing to the cultural exchange at the heart of the event.

Pengpeng Feng, Director of the Confucius Institute, said: “the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange,  is a special year for the Confucius Institute. We are happy to have this chance to hold this event with the International Office and to celebrate the different heritages. Heritage opens a door, makes us curious to ask questions and to look beyond symbols, so we learn about and sympathise each other. Heritage is not only what the past gives us. It is also wat we will choose to carry into the future.”

A cultural marketplace showcased handmade cultural items, while creative and heritage stations invited participants to engage in activities such as calligraphy, visual art and beadwork. These experiences demonstrated how music, art and shared traditions can serve as powerful forms of connection, creating opportunities for people to learn from one another beyond language and cultural boundaries.

Nonnie Falala, Student Support and Operations Manager at the International Office, reflected on the significance of the celebration: “Heritage is reflected in our cultures, traditions, stories and values. It shapes who we are, but it is also about what we share, what we learn from one another, and the sense of belonging we create together. Our diversity should never divide us; as people, colleagues or students. It should bring us together and strengthen our shared humanity.”

Celebrating our differences, strengthening our community

The event was structured around a shared journey: We Arrive, We Listen, We Experience and We Leave Together.

This approach reflected the broader purpose of the celebration: to move beyond simply recognising cultural differences towards actively engaging with them, learning from one another and strengthening a collective sense of community. The programme concluded with an opportunity for collective reflection, encouraging participants to consider the conversations, experiences and connections that emerged throughout the afternoon.

Through initiatives such as Threads of Heritage, the International Office continues to promote intercultural engagement and meaningful opportunities for students and staff to connect across cultures.

The celebration reinforced an important message: while our cultural identities and lived experiences may differ, they can also become the threads that connect us, enriching the university community and creating a stronger sense of belonging for all.