If you choose red, it means you are a South African student.
Choose blue, and you tell the world you are a born free – a member of the generation born after 1994. In this year South Africa held its first truly democratic election.
During Stellenbosch University's Celebrating Diversity week (30 September to 4 October) you can create your own Matie rainbow bracelet from different coloured beads. Out of ten colours, you can choose five. And each colour has a specific meaning (see list below).
"We want to give students and personnel an opportunity to interrogate and acknowledge their different identities," says Monica du Toit, a member of the Celebrating Diversity task team (www.sun.ac.za/diversity).
"These bracelets also show that we all are composed of a kaleidoscope of identities."
Roxanne Eastes, outgoing Vice-Chair of the SRC said that choosing the colours for her bracelet made her realise how diverse she is. She made her armband during a preview session.
"I have never thought of identifying myself as someone who comes from either a rural or an urban setting. I find it interesting to see how others identify themselves through the different colours they choose. During the Maties Diversity celebrations seeing a bracelet on a stranger's arm will definitely lead me to start a conversation with him or her."
Another SRC member Shomane Mathiba chose yellow as one of his colours. This symbolises his multilingualism – he speaks Afrikaans, English, Sepedi, Setswana and Setsonga fluently and he understands the Nguni languages.
"The diversity celebrations take place at an important time. The first group of students who were born after 1994 are now first years and the SU has recently announced its Vision 2030. The celebrations are a wonderful way of kick starting the new strategy."
Clinton du Preez, outgoing SRC chair, says people on campus have been associating diversity with something negative for too long.
"They think diversity is something that takes something away from their own culture. It is good that the celebrations also focus on fun events such as the music concerts and making bracelets which can stimulate conversation. The conversation about diversity needs to be opened up. If we do not acknowledge our diversity as individuals and the diverse community of which we are a part, we all lose."
Dr Llewellyn MacMaster, project leader at SU's new Centre for Inclusivity, showed he was born before 1994 by using, amongst others, a purple bead.
He believes the diversity celebrations are a positive initiative of SU because there "is still a perception that the SU campus is Afrikaans and white. The celebrations acknowledge that the university is quietly becoming more diverse."
"As a South African you cannot escape the fact that you are always busy engaging with different identities."
What do the different colours represent?
Students and personnel can choose five colours from the following colours:
Red – to show that you are a South African student.
Orange – international student
Green – if you are bilingual
Yellow – to show that you speak more than two languages
Blue – for those that were born after 1994
Purple – showing that you were born before 1994
White – to show that you are a first generation Matie
Black – Second (or more) generation Matie
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