Celani Sikhakhane
Zululand University students who belong to the Shembe Baptist Church brought Wednesday’s graduation ceremony to a standstill with their traditional dance and song.
While guests were still waiting to make their way into the graduation hall, the sound of izimbomu (saxophones), drums and other Shembe instruments could be heard from the main gate.
Everyone turned around to watch the group. The students were sharing their happiness, singing and performing the church’s traditional dance moves while moving towards the King Bhekuzulu Hall in Dlangezwa.
Some of the students were carrying shields and sticks while dancing in their graduation gowns.
Guests and students had to forget about the graduation for a moment as they turned to the singing Shembe students. Some parents were seen jumping, howling with joy.
The students who were part of the ceremony came with their friends and fellow church members to celebrate with them.
Former student Sanele Ngema told Scrolla.Africa that the gathering was arranged by individual students to support each other during the graduation ceremony.
“We have temples for students that are inside the institution and it is easy for individuals and their friends to organise such celebrations. So, this was a gathering that was organised by students who are members of the church to congratulate their fellow students who are members of the church,” said Ngema.
Graduation ceremonies started on Monday, the first of 10 sessions to accommodate over 3 900 students who will graduate this year.
On Monday, the institution conferred an honorary PhD in Creative Arts on veteran playwright and filmmaker Duma kaNdlovu.
Ndlovu encouraged students to always preserve their culture.
He also told graduates that their time to obtain qualifications for employment is over but they need to think out of the box.
“Our country needs an injection of young minds that will revolutionise the current state of the country,” he said.
“It is clear that strategies that have been employed over the years to drive the economy and create employment are not working. The numbers of unemployment keep rising.
“It is definitely time to start a conversation on how we can turn things around.”
