Thuthuka beneficiaries get creative together
Creating a vibrant and engaging environment for students to connect can be a challenging task, especially when traditional methods like conversations, which can be lengthy and information-heavy, might not always yield the desired results. In search of a unique and enjoyable way to foster student camaraderie, an innovative event titled ‘Colours and Conversations’ was conceived, drawing inspiration from the popular concept of ‘Paint and Sip’.
This event aimed to create an atmosphere where all the UP Thuthuka beneficiaries could connect and get to know each other to build the sense of family, while enjoying a creative activity.
A blank T-shirt was provided to the students, which was their blank canvas and their soon-to-be masterpiece. To enhance the experience, students were asked to choose colours that represented both their current emotions and future aspirations. Whether it was green for growth, yellow for joy, or pink for a beautiful heart, each colour carried personal significance for the students. This activity not only helped with self-expression but also opened the door for conversations about their individual motivations and dreams.
The main front section of the T-shirt was designated for students to draw or write anything that resonated with them, using the colours selected at the beginning, thus emphasising the message that they are the architects of their own lives. At the middle-back of the T-shirt, students had to do something with their growth groups, which is another initiative driven by the UP Thuthuka bursary.
This conveyed the message that their growth-groups serve as their backbones, present to provide strength and support in their academic journey. The remaining space was available for students to receive messages and artwork from their fellow Thuthuka beneficiaries in all the academic years, as well as from the Thuthuka management team. This fostered communication and motivation in a light-hearted and enjoyable manner.
The Thuthuka management team stated that ‘Colours and Conversations showed how a creative and innovative approach can transform the way students connect with each other. ‘By combining self-expression, symbolic colour choices, and collaborative art, the event not only brought students together, but also emphasised the importance of individual agency and mutual support within the academic community. This event serves as a testament to the power of unconventional ideas in fostering meaningful connections among students,’ said Aneesa Carrim, UP Thuthuka Programme Manager and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting. The Thuthuka students are all part of one big happy family!
Thuthuka is a bursary established by SAICA to assist disadvantaged African and Coloured students in becoming CAs(SA). The bursary provides funding from first year up until postgraduate studies.
This article was first published by the University of Pretoria's Department of
Accounting www.up.ac.za/accounting