UKZN’s Heart Beats Green and Gold

UKZN’s Heart Beats Green and Gold

UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division (CRD) hosted a screening of the Rugby World Cup final to show support for the Springboks.

Staff and alumni donned their green and gold Bokke t-shirts as they eagerly watched the thrilling match in which South Africa triumphed over New Zealand with a close score of 12-11, securing their status as four-time world champions.

The crowd passionately cheered on the national team in true South African style, enjoying a lekker braai and singing songs like Thula uMamele (Gwijo), Masambe Nono, and Shosholoza.

Ecstatic alumnus, Dr Thandi Ngxongo, said the Springboks’ victory symbolised a new dawn for South Africa, ‘This has given us new hope and newfound inspiration to pursue our goals and achieve our dreams.’

The Springboks’ win came on the heels of UKZN’s Bokke Friday, which saw the Westville campus buzzing with excitement as students and staff flooded the streets dressed in their green and gold attire. They participated in the Gwijo Song Parade and the AmaBhokoBhoko viral dance challenge (which has over 36 000 views) that united the University community, making them stronger together.

Having hosted screenings of the Rugby World Cup Springbok matches since the qualifiers for the quarter-finals, Ms Normah Zondo, Executive Director of CRD, emphasised the University’s unwavering commitment to supporting the national team. She said: ‘UKZN joined millions of South Africans in expressing our support for the Springboks, who have given joy and excitement to the entire country. We are tremendously proud of their accomplishments, not only as an Institution but as a country as a whole. We look forward to welcoming our world champions to Durban during the Springbok Trophy Tour and believe this marks the start of a new era for our country.’

Left speechless by the win, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Thabo Msibi, expressed his delight.

To watch the AmaBhokoBhoko dance challenge, click here.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini