Heritage Month 2024 ended on a captivating delicious note as the Durban University of Technology (DUT)  Department of Hospitality and Tourism under the Faculty of Management Sciences hosted the 3rd Annual African Food Festival at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson campus. Themed “Honouring our Legacy: Reclaiming African Flavours Through Decolonised Cuisine,” this annual event was organised by second-year Catering Management students.

The event took three weeks of planning with 94 students participating in various tasks. Enhancing the vibrant atmosphere, programme directors Namhla Thusi and Sthembiso Mashiyane, both students from the department, proudly led the celebration in full traditional attire.

Originally launched as an internal event in 2022, this initiative now aims to become a key driver in revitalising Durban tourism. Various stakeholders took to the podium, emphasising the need for the project to extend its reach beyond the boundaries of DUT.

Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT addressing the guests at the festival.

Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, delivered the keynote address, sharing his vision for the African Food Festival to expand to the Durban Beachfront Promenade. He expressed how he envisions an event where attendees can enjoy a variety of dishes prepared not only by the DUT Catering Management students but also by other key stakeholders in the culinary industry.

“This kind of event can be utilised to mobilise tourism to the city. It would be great because we got a variety of dishes across the land, from Cape Town with the Griqua people all the to Limpopo with the Venda people, all the way to the West with the Batswana people, all the way to the East with the Zulu people,” said Prof Netswera.

He also shared the exciting news that DUT, through the Faculty of Management Sciences, plans to engage with the city of eThekwini to discuss plans for expanding the event.

“The Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Azwitevhelwi Nevhutalu has even bigger plans, he has asked me to write a proposal, he calls it a catalytic project, a project meant to revolutionise food and tourism,” said Prof Netswera.

Dr Nevhutalu stressed the importance of creating the right environment for the African Food Festival to flourish.

“This is an idea that needs to find fertile ground to grow. Let’s start somewhere, let’s get Durban to be the number one city in terms of tourism in South Africa. The need to recapture that ideal of Durban being the number one tourist city in the world and using food is one of the ideas that we have,” he said.

Dr Nevhutalu also challenged students and staff at DUT to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, suggesting that they can even go as far as setting up food stalls to sell strictly African cuisines to the public.

The first guest speaker, representing eThekwini Council was eThekwini Municipal Councillor and DUT alumnus, Mr Njabulo Ntuli, who gave the African Food Festival initiative a thumbs up noting the impact it can have on the city’s economy.

“I do want to concur with the previous speakers, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Dean, to say that maybe as a city we need to take this kind of event to another level to boost our tourism in eThekwini. I know that eThekwini has a good partnership with DUT,” he said.

Taking to the podium as a second guest speaker, Mr Aric Apelgren, Head of Intergovernmental Relations at eThekwini Municipality shared similar sentiments.

“At this African Food Festival, I want to commit in your presence, with the leadership and management of DUT and councillor, to say that we must take this event out of the university. The DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive and Impactful must be the theme of the festival. I would also like to just throw in maybe even to say, Celebrate Durban, Halala eThekwini. That could be the festival. I actually believe that we could plan now with our Tourism Authority and all the relevant departments in the city, province and national government,” he said.

According to Mr Apelgren, the South African President has also stated that Durban has lost its shine as the tourism gem of the country.

“We were the dominant factor in domestic tourism, our international tourism numbers are not as great, but that is our target and the city must work with DUT to make sure we get that shine back, to be the country’s number one domestic tourism destination,” said Mr Apelgren.

He made an example of the Taste of Chicago, a food festival that is hosted by Durban’s sister city, Chicago in the United States of America (USA).

“All the restaurants, coffee houses and everyone comes on board. They have specials, they have promotions,” he explained.

Apelgren reiterated the need for an urgent meeting between DUT and the city to discuss the future of the African Food Festival.

“I still think DUT should be the driver of it, the city, the province, national government and the private sector should be your partners. We need to cost it, develop a theme, and get everyone on board. The spirit of unity is very important. We really need to pull together to make our city shine again,” he said.

Among the close to 100 guests were DUT’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics Executive Dean, Professor Oludayo Olugbara, former DUT Faculty of Arts and Design Deputy Dean, Professor Brain Pearce, Director of DUT Library Services, Dr Malefetjane Phaladi and Head of Department for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Erasmus Mnguni. Attendees had the chance to indulge in a diverse array of African dishes, including Kenyan Irion and Nyama Choma, Nigerian Fufu (Yam) with Chicken Jollof Rice, Moroccan lamb tagine, Mozambican prawns, and Egyptian cuisine with influence of Middle and North African, Bosbousa, as well as South African favourites such as Inyama yenhloko, uMleqwa, and Mogodu.

The day’s entertainment featured traditional dancing and poetry. Festival coordinator and DUT Catering Management Programme Team Leader, Dr Sasi Gangiah, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the dedicated staff and students whose contributions made the event a success.

Pictured: Guests enjoying the African food at the DUT African Food Festival.

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.

Zandile Mahlobo