Tuesdays are for Zulu Therapy – Ingoma
- Wits University
Keeping heritage alive through ingoma provides a sense of community, cultural pride and resilience to students.
Every Tuesday evening, West Campus becomes a haven where students gather for a special kind of release from the stresses of academic life. Rhythmic voices fill the air as traditional songs and dance are performed providing a therapeutic outlet.
The weekly session, known as Ingoma, organised by the Zulu Students’ Cultural Society, are a highlight and attract students keen to connect and preserve heritage. Ingoma refers to music, song and dance in isiZulu. The weekly social-cultural expression serves as a vehicle for artistic traditions and indigenous knowledge, helping those from urban settings to discover the beauty of heritage.
It is no wonder that the Society was named the winner of the Most Outstanding Student Society at the Vice-Chancellors Student Leadership Awards.
“The winners of this award have significantly contributed to both cultural preservation and student well-being,” said the masters of ceremony.
For Public Good
Culture has been recognised as a public good by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The October 2024 meeting of the G20 Culture Ministers concluded with a commitment to prioritise culture in policymaking.
“Culture is a pillar in the construction of prosperous and peaceful societies. This is why UNESCO has advocated for this sector to be better recognised in multilateral fora and public policies,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.
The cultural society also advances Goal 3 [good health and wellbeing] of the sustainable development goals.
3rd year BSc Urban and Regional Planning student and Chair of the Society, Ntombiyenhlanhla Mkhize, says they are thrilled at receiving the award.
“The Society’s main purpose is to create unity, an inclusive environment, a platform for everyone to learn, embrace Zulu culture and share experiences with fellow students, it is not only open to Zulu people but everyone who love Zulu culture. We encourage diversity, inclusivity and cultural exchange. The Zulu society programmes (Ingoma Tuesdays and Indaba Fridays) have been used by students as a way of taking time off books and destressed, these social programmes have played a vital role in students’ lives.”
The Clubs efforts have also gained national recognition through social media, where they have amassed over 170 000 followers.
The society was nominated under the category of Best Traditional Group/Artist of an Institution of Higher Learning at the 2024 South African Traditional Music Awards.
Mkhize who hails from Greytown attributes the Society’s success to past and present committee members stressing that “active membership participation and engagement has also played an important role in the success of the society, without members the is no society.”
Sustainability Dreams
Realising that students need a diversity of activities that promote social cohesion, the Society has expanded its offer to members by introducing sport teams competing against other student residences, further enhancing the vibrant campus atmosphere.
The Club with over 400 members has big dreams for the future and hopes with the sponsorship will help realise even bigger projects in the future.
In 2024 the Society implemented impactful outreach programmes, including a Sanitary Pads Drive and an Academic Help Desk, addressing important student needs and creating lasting positive change within the university community.
Congratulating the Society on their success, the Dean of Students Jerome September said: “Their leadership and dedication have fostered inclusivity, unity, and cultural pride, ensuring the meaningful preservation and promotion of African heritage in modern society.”
Runner-ups were the Black Lawyers Association Wits Chapter and the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners Wits Chapter.
Wits University has 95 active student clubs, societies and organisations catering to a range of interests in the Academic Cluster, Cultural Cluster, Political Cluster, Religious Cluster and Social Cluster.
