The Motherland Magazine - November 2023

M OTHERLAND M A G A Z I N E

NOVEMBER 2023

INCLUDIN G BANGA ASU' O S

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FINISHING THE SEMESTER STRONG WITH OUR LATEST AND GREATEST EVENTS!

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NOVEMBER BANGA OF THE MONTH

SOUNDS OF AFRICA - NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR

ASU PAGEANT RECAP

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AFROFEST RECAP

ASU FAM CAM

END OF SEMESTER FAREWELL

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BANGA OF THE MONTH

DND REMA

ASU 2023 PLAYLIST

NOVEMBER’S BANGA HAS BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED BY YOU - OUR ASU FAM! FOR MORE BANGERS, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW OUR PLAYLISTS ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC THROUGH THIS QR CODE

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SOUNDS OF AFRICA

NDLOVU NDLOVU YOUTH YOUTH CHOIR CHOIR

As the lights dimmed, we took a deep breath in anticipation, leaned over to the edges of our seats and waited silent but eager. Then, under the glow of flourescent light, in a flourish of vibrant blues, reds, and yellows,and in full of sound and life, the Ndlovu Youth Choir appeared.

Hailing from the beautiful province of Limpopo, South Africa, the Ndlovu Youth Choir is famed for its exciting mix of traditional South African genres with pop, rock, and jazz. After hearing that they would be in Gainesville to perform at the Philips Centre, I knew I had to witness their fresh and original sound, not just to reminisce about the culture of my home country but to also experience the aweinspiring acts that made them the first ever choir to reach the final of America’s Got Talent.

So there I was, on a chilly Wednesday night amid a mix of young and old waiting for greatness. And what greatness it was – from internationally well-known songs like Toto’s “Africa” to their original pieces like “We Will Rise”, Ndlovu Youth Choir received more than a handful of standing ovations and ululations from the eager crowd. From their thrilling dance moves to their impressive vocals, it was a showstopping performance with energy, passion, and the soul of South Africa.

MOTHERLAND MAGAZINE

Despite their difficult past, this group of 13–25-year-olds use music to overcome their circumstances and become some of the biggest inspirations to the youth of South Africa. So, to their country, they are not just another choir – they are a testament to the world that no matter where you come from, you can achieve greatness.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir is but one of the handful of African acts that the Philips Centre has lined up – next year, we’ll be visited by the soulful sound of the male choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who is renowned for their intricate rhythms and harmonies of South African musical traditions.

To find out more about this act, check out the UF Philips Centre website at https://performingarts.ufl.edu/events/ to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest featured performances.

-By Michelle Muli

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PAGEANT

TO OUR

Mr and Mrs. ASU OF 2023

Alvin Tuma

Muma Mpolokoso

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR 2023 PAGEANT DIRECTORS, JEMMA ONI AND VANESSA HERVIE! AND THANK YOU, ASU FAM, FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS YEAR’S PAGEANT AND MAKING IT A WONDERFUL EVENT!

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FLORIDA

Afrofest

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THIS YEAR, WE WERE THRILLED TO HAVE OUR SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA AFROFEST, WHERE WE HOSTED AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR A WEEKEND OF NON-STOP VIBES. TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM ONE OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE EVENTS OF THE YEAR!

OWAMBE

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AFRO OLYMPICS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OLYMPIC WINNERS - THE UF AFRICAN GATORS!!

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THANK YOU TO ALL MEMBERS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN MAKING THIS YEAR’S AFROFEST SPECTACLUAR ALL PHOTO CREDITS GO TO PHVNTOM FOKUS FOR MORE PICTURES, VISIT HTTPS://PHVNTOMFOKUSPHOTOGRAPHYANDFILMS.PI XIESET.COM/

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ASU FAM CAM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! from the African Student Union THE MOTHERLAND MAGAZINE WILL BE BACK FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER. UNTIL THEN - STAY FRESH! MOTHERLAND MAGAZINE

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WE NEED YOUR STORIES!

SEND YOUR STORIES, IDEAS, AND PHOTOS TO UFMOTHERLANDMAG@GMAIL.COM MOTHERLAND MAGAZINE

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NOVEMBER 2023

M OTHERLAND M OTHERLAND M A G A Z I N E M A G A Z I N E