A world on one campus - UP celebrates cultural diversity International Students Day

The University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted its annual International Students Day celebration, a vibrant event that honoured the rich cultural diversity of its international student community. The day-long event, held under the beautiful purple jacaranda blooms, brought together students, diplomats and staff for a dynamic programme that featured formal diplomatic engagements, cultural exhibitions and spirited student competitions. 

As of 2025, UP is home to 4 283 students from more than 100 countries, 2 596 (61%) of whom are postgraduate students. The top 10 countries with the most students at UP are Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana and Zambia.

This year’s theme, ‘One World, One Campus: World Voices in Unison’, captured the spirit of unity and diversity that defines UP. The morning’s formal proceedings welcomed ambassadors from countries represented by UP’s international students. In her keynote address, Professor Loretta Feris, Vice Principal: Academic, emphasised that the university is “a microcosm of the world”, where education transcends knowledge acquisition to inspire justice, compassion and collaboration. She invoked the words of Nelson Mandela, reminding everyone present that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, Director for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, echoed this sentiment. “This event embodies our vision of creating a vibrant and inclusive community where diversity is more than respected – it is embraced and celebrated,” she said. “At UP, we take pride in nurturing graduates who are not only academically equipped, but also globally conscious and socially responsible – the kind of leaders our world so urgently needs.”

The student-focused afternoon segment opened with inspiring remarks from Dr Kgadi Mathabathe, Director: Student Affairs, who invoked the African proverb, “When spiders’ webs unite, they can halt a lion,” to highlight the power of unity in facing global challenges. She reminded students that they are “not only the students of today; you are the leaders of tomorrow.”

The afternoon was alive with the dazzling parade of nations, featuring colourful traditional attire and performances from countries including Vietnam, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Portugal, Hungary and more. Adding a unique cultural dimension to the event was UP’s acclaimed cultural ensemble, Ovuwa, whose performances captivated the audience and enhanced the festive atmosphere. International Students Day at UP is a flagship event that serves as a beacon of unity, where diverse voices blend in vibrant harmony.

The day ended with a competition, where students competed in three categories – poetry, international cultural and South African cultural performances that showcased exceptional talent and cultural pride. This year, the IsiXhosa cultural group was awarded first place in the Mx Pageant, while Zambia secured second place. Zambia also won first place in poetry and second place in international performances, while Zimbabwe took second place in poetry. The Democratic Republic of the Congo came first in international performances and secured second place for best exhibition. Kenya was awarded first place for best exhibition, and the Sepedi cultural group won the best South African performance category, with the IsiXhosa cultural group placing second.

International Students Day not only showcased the kaleidoscope of identities that make up UP’s global community, but also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering a future where diversity is the foundation of unity.