Reception at the Neue Aula
Report: "Rector's
Reception" by Lidia Du Plessis
I wonder if the previous rectors and important role players over
centuries, hanging on the walls of the Kleiner Senat in the Neue
Aula, knew what was going to take place in front of their eyes
on 21 January …. I guess not. Although they were dressed to the
occasion, they were not entirely dress for the occasion …
23 Proudly
South Africans came dressed for the occasion in their traditional
clothes: bright colours, beadwork, and traditional hats - a wonderful
mixture of fabrics and colours. The clothes were carefully packed
weeks ago and travelled with over thousands of kilometres and
continents to be presented to the guests on this special night.
Especially selected to show the guests the diversity South Africa
celebrates in abundance.
We were privileged to dress up for the
Rectors Reception of the 11th Tuebingen South African programme
and were warmly welcomed by Prorektor Prof Dr Assmann and the
Director of the International Office, Wolfgang Mekle.
There was
also a familiar face from the Consulate in München, Mr Martin
Ngundze that thanked Tuebingen University for their continued
support of the programme and for the initiative of the event.
We also had the opportunity to thank the sponsors for their contributions
towards the programme, that make it possible for the programme
to continue. They were Mr Hans-Joachim Weinand from Läpple G &
Gattin, Ms Elisabeth Hintrager, Mr Bernhard Hettich from CHT Beitlich
and Mr Georg Beuerle and Mrs Joanne Dittrich from SAFRI/Daimler
AG.
The evening would have not been complete without the traditional
singing of the group and the evening literally ended on a high
note when the contagious singing spread through the crowd and
everyone joined in the dancing and singing around the room.
As
we left the room and closed the door behind us, I could not help
to think that the room will never be the same - for centuries
to come! And it's with a song in our hearts that we know we will
not be the last ones walking through these doors as new and changed
people after being part of this life-changing programme.
by Lidia Du Plessis
