The Division for Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted its biggest annual International Festival on Friday, 21 September 2018. The event explored global issues and celebrated world cultures, food and music.

“It’s really wonderful to have students from throughout the world enhancing their education at UJ and adding to the excitement that makes Johannesburg such a strong, dynamic and great community,” said Mr Lebethe Malefo, Director: Study Abroad, Division for Internationalisation.

The event saw different countries displaying their cuisines and traditional attire while their decorated stalls gave off a sense of their countries culture and traditions.

Representatives from South Africa, Gabon, Lesotho, Nigeria, Angola, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, United Republic of Tanzania – Representing Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and China participated in this year’s festival.

Nigerian Wining team proudly holding up the trophy for the 2018 UJ International festival

“The most important thing is to know your culture and traditions and also celebrating it every day. One should know that it is more than just food and clothes but rather knowing where you come from,” said Dorcas Kizunga, 3^rd year UJ PR student.

Other festival highlights included the announcement of winners who displayed their cultures in the following categories:

For Best Cuisine: 1^st place Swaziland, 2^nd place DRC and 3^rd place Zambia

For Best performance: 1^st place Angola & Nigeria , 2^nd Zimbabwe and 3^rd place Zambia

For Best stall: 1st place Nigeria, 2^nd place Swaziland and 3^rd place Lesotho

For Best Attire: 1^st place Nigeria, 2^nd place Zimbabwe and DRC and 3^rd Gabon

For Overall festival winner: 1^st place Nigeria, 2nd DRC and 3^rd Angola

Participant from Gabon proudly waving their flag during the 2018 UJ international festival