Open Day, Madibaz Day – All in May!

Guest blogger Khanyisa Melwa

8 and 9 May was a busy weekend in Nelson Mandela Bay, as a number of events were hosted in our beloved city, namely: The Spar Ladies Race, Kaizer Chiefs vs Chippa United, The DA Congress and of course, NMMU Open Day.

NMMU Open Day 2015, under the banner of “Putting your future in focus”, hosted thousands of high school learners from Port Elizabeth and the greater Eastern Cape. The aim of this annual event is to assist and guide learners in selecting their desired field of study, and ultimately, career.

These kids were bursting at the seams with excitement as they wandered through the Vodacom Indoor Sports Centre on South Campus. Over 120 stalls were set up with staff and students ready to answer the plethora of questions from prospective students. These stalls were beautifully branded with the relevant department’s posters and other marketing materials aimed at inform the eager grade 11s and 12s.

Inter alia running around campus and attending to questions from both parents, teachers and learners, I took some time to ask a few of these learners what they thought about Open Day. The general consensus was that it was very insightful but there was just too much from which to choose.

Prizes were awarded to departments/faculties that boasted the most visually-appealing and interactive stalls, respectively.

Just as we thought things were over, Madibaz Day came along!http://nmmu10.nmmu.ac.za

Students at NMMU's George Campus for Open Day

NMMU celebrated their 10 year anniversary with an exhibition followed by a picnic-in-the-park themed concert at the Madibaz Stadium.

Quick question, how many of you knew about the VC’s illustrious dancing career in his past life? Okay, no, I’m kidding. But the Professor has rhythm.

Those in attendance were serenaded by the smooth sounds of the NMMU Choir, Two Tone Band and the NMMU Big Band to name just a few. We enjoyed a jovial atmosphere all round. It was a prime opportunity to once again showcase our diversity – in music and in culture.

Fast-forward a few days later, and off we were to our oft-forgotten, yet beautiful George Campus for the George Campus Open Day.

George Campus at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains

George Campus is home to offerings such as Nature Conservation, Agriculture, Forestry, Wood Technology and the like. It is also known as our “green campus”. Surrounded by a majestic mountainous range, you cannot help but enjoy some piece of mind when you are here.

Although operating at a much slower pace, the George Open Day was just as successful – attracting learners from both the Southern and Western Cape.

I would like to quote the George Campus Principal, Quinton Johnson’s speech prior to the Open Day festivities when he said: “The great philosopher, Frantz Fanon, once said: ‘Every generation, out of relative obscurity, must discover its mission. Fulfill it, or betray it’. The mission for this generation is education.”

I sincerely hope that these learners manage to put their futures in focus and are now ready to apply to NMMU, the University for tomorrow.