By Collins Owiti

On August 31, 2024, the Scholar Council, in collaboration with family heads and country representatives, hosted an unforgettable African Day event at USIU-Africa. The event, which celebrates the various cultures represented in the Mastercard Foundation Scholar body as well as in the wider student body, took place on campus. The day was filled with sports, cultural performances, and expressions of African pride, bringing together students and Mastercard Foundation Scholars from USIU-Africa to promote unity, cultural appreciation, and togetherness.

The day began with a series of fun and engaging team-building activities, led by an exceptional facilitator. The sports activities that followed fostered camaraderie and showcased athleticism in a spirit of friendly competition. The football tournament was the highlight of the day's sporting events, drawing enthusiastic participation from teams representing different families. The matches were intense, filled with skill, teamwork, and determination as each team vied for victory. Four teams (Kwame Nkrumah, Kenneth Kaunda, Sekou Toure, and Martin Luther) emerged as strong contenders for the finals, reflecting the competitive spirit of the event.

The sack race brought a touch of nostalgia and fun, with participants hopping toward the finish line amid cheers and laughter. It was a delightful spectacle that captured the joy and playful spirit of the day. Meanwhile, the limbo competition tested participants' flexibility and rhythm, set to lively African music and cheers from family members. The atmosphere was electrifying as participants bent backward to show off their moves to the delight of the crowd.

In the evening, the focus of the event shifted to cultural performances and expressions of national pride. Representatives from various African nations performed their national anthems with passion and pride, creating a powerful sense of unity and reverence. The cultural performances that followed were a colorful celebration of Africa's artistic heritage, featuring traditional dances, music, and fashion shows from all corners of the continent.

Adding depth to the evening were spoken word presentations by talented individuals who shared their thoughts and reflections on Africa. These performances were deeply moving, addressing themes of identity, resilience, hope, and unity. Through poetry and music, the speakers conveyed messages that resonated with the audience, highlighting the strength and beauty of African culture.

The judges found the cultural performances exhilarating, and their expressions of amusement and pride underscored the intensity and significance of the event. The awards for the Best Family went to Kenneth Kaunda, Best Country went to Rwanda, and outstanding participants were Rashid Wamela, Kelsey and Shariff in the limbo competition, Bevex Kapansa, Ajak Simon and Emilia in football and Faith, Joshua Kasozi and Obel Mwamba in the sack race brought the celebration to a conclusion, leaving everyone satisfied and hopeful for more events like this in the future.