Report: The Rector’s Reception

It is an honour for everyone to meet University officials, so it goes without saying that we were honoured to meet the Rector of Tübingen University. For us it meant we are welcome at the university. There were also a lot of interesting guests in our mists, who are involved directly or indirectly with the exchange programme. It is always good to see people being interested in you and what you are doing.

The night was delightful rubbing shoulders with people of high calibre. In our mists there was Prorektor Prof. Dr. Heinz Assman, Michael Grüwald, Donato Tregedi to name just a few.These are the people you don’t just meet but you arrange meeting them. The night was also blessed with the presence of Frau Ogaufi Masibi (Südafikanischnes Generalkosulat München) and her partner. Frau Masibi delivered a powerful speech in encouraging South Africans in keeping up wit the times, and to make the most of every opportunity given. She went as far as saying that the development of South Africa as a country depends on people with the ability to utilise what’s given fruitfully.

The floor was open to everyone to interact, so people exchanged information, discussed issues and even exchanged contacts. We were honoured to be given the opportunity to talk to the stakeholders and they were also interested and available to answer questions and to give advice where possible. The interest that was shown by both parties was amazing. The important aspect of the reception was for people to interact in a less formal meeting. That was achieved because most of the people who were there came out being renewed. For the South Africans who want to do their internships in Germany, they got a chance to meet people who are expects in that field.

Before concluding I have to mention the colourful African traditional wear, that was the highlight of the day, I saw Zulus being represented, Afrikaner, Xhosas, Venda’s and many more. That was represented in a true South African style. It was interesting to see the mixture of colours that represents the rainbow nation of South Africa. It was also interesting to a get a chance to explain to people the difference between cultures and traditions and clothing as well. Some did not believe the diversity that South Africa has in its possession as a country, eleven official languages and the multiculturalism. Spending time explaining that to the stakeholders is an honour to each and every South African.

Thank to the Tübingen team for arranging for us such a night. It was fun, informative and interesting. This whole programme is a highlight to us all. Germany will always be in our hearts, the people and the activities that we engaged upon. Thank you to everyone who is involved with the programme it is a wonderful programme. May it grow in years to come.

Mncedisi Cosmos Ntshakala