Middleton Public School students were tak- en on a virtual safari for the school’s annual Harmony Day event on Tuesday.
Harmony Day is an opportunity to explore some of the cultural backgrounds from their school community. Each year Mid- dleton focuses on a different family’s experience to provide the students with a rich understanding of another culture. Last year they examined Tonga, and this year they explored South Africa.
South African-born students Liam and Ryan Snyman generously brought their parents to speak to the school. Their mother, Linda Snyman, gave an engaging presentation about their native South Africa, highlighting some of the unique elements of their country and culture. Her presentation introduced the students to beaded crafts, traditional African dance, and of course the wildlife.
Students were amazed to learn that South Africa has 11 official languages, and that traffic lights are known as robots, or that textas are called kokis. Students were also intrigued by South African foods, such as mieliepap – a maize meal porridge, and biltong – salted and dried meat that is similar to jerky. They even got to sample South African sausage. At the end the students participated in a traditional African gum- boot dance, which was rather appropriate with the storms outside.
By Raen Fraser