On Thursday night the Students from Zimbabwe , presented their motherland in a colorful and lively event held in the Mercator Common room. Code named, Destination Zimbabwe: Flight UM578 , this was a journey that was appreciated by many and left the passengers, informed entertained and educated about the country's rich, multicultural heritage.

The event began with the singing of the national anthem of Zimbabwe , “Simudzai mureza wedu we Zimbabwe ” (lift high the flag of Zimbabwe ) and then the students went on to show a snippet of a video that gave a basic summary of Zimbabwe . First to take the floor was Mkhokheli Mhlanga, a Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Freshman who presented to the crowd the Facts on Zimbabwe that ranged from the Geography, Government, Economy, Transport, Communications, The people and Tourism spiced with a catalogue of some beautiful pictures of Zimbabwe. He cracked the ribs of most of the crowd with his bleeps and blunders when reading out the long statistics.

He was back on the spotlight soon after that in the company of Zwelithini Simela, a third year Integrated Social Sciences Major and Phelelisani Moyo, a Second year Physics major as they pelted out the rhythms of Africa on the drums. Most of the crowd watched in silence, possibly astounded by what they were witnessing. The trio played two tracks before their retired back to their seats leaving behind a loud roar and hearty applause from the appreciative crowd.

A brief historical narration followed, courtesy of Walter Shayanewako, a third year Physics major and Rebecca Hitchcook, a third year Arts and Literature major which outlined the history of the present inhabitants of the country dating back over 2000 years and up till they gained independence in 1980. The duet, one a white Zimbabwean and the other a black Zimbabwean displayed the unity of Zimbabweans amidst all the white/black unrest in the country at the moment and addressed as well as clarified some controversial issues like the land distribution between the Zimbabwean government and white settlers/farmers. Although they were in some cases not 100% in agreement they managed to put both arguments through in a rational, factual and apt manner. They concluded their presentation by expressing their dream that Zimbabwe would be united one day as it was a couple of years ago.

In between, the presenters, DJ “Complex” Brighton Samatanga, a Biochemical Engineering freshman spiced things up with comic remarks that drew laughter and kept the crowd entertained and musical breaks garnished with a picture slide shows that left the crowd yearning for more.

Rebecca then read a poem written by a former Zimbabwean white farmer who is now based in Scotland that expressed the love and concern that this individual had for Zimbabwe . Not to be outdone, Brighton Samatanga, stepped onto the scene again to also read his poem entitled “ Zimbabwe – my beloved country” that began with his legendary statement, “Ladies and Gentlemen”. Both these poems symbolized the passion that these young individuals, the future leaders and developers of the country, had for their motherland and their great desire for nation building and fostering of a peaceful and harmonious nation.

Lastly viewers were treated to some energetic dancing from Mkhokheli Mhlanga and Letshani Ndlovu, an Integrated Social Sciences freshman. They wowed the crowd with their fancy footwork in their synchronized routine. The modern dance they performed is a township dance that originates in South Africa and the Matabeleland Region of Zimbabwe and is done mostly by the youth as a way of expressing themselves and their love for the pulsating rhythmic beat called “Kwaito”.

The Zimbabwean Country Information Day finally ended after one and a half hours, at 10.30 pm, with the numerous guests having a chance to expand their culinary horizon, tasting the appetizing Zimbabwean foods on offer courtesy of Wadzanai Chimhanda, a second year Geo-Astrophysics major, Rumbidzai Maunze, a second year Integrated Social Sciences Major, Sofanit Abebe (adopted Zimbabwean from Ethiopia), a second year Chemistry major and Archford Mutengwa a second year Chemistry major who put their cookery skills to practice. Acknowledgements should also be expressed to Jovana Kukic, a second year Arts and Literature major who was responsible for the glittering decoration, Macdonald Sibanda a third year Physics major for advertising and designs, Shungudzemwoyo Garaba a Geo Astrophysics freshman responsible for Technical issues. All the hosts played a pivotal part in the preparations that come during the difficult midterm period.

For the moments, click here.