Thabo's pepeha urutau beautifully reflects a blend of his South African heritage and his new connections in Aotearoa. By honoring his roots in Cape Town, with a special mention of Table Mountain, this adaptation provides a respectful introduction that links his personal journey with his present home. It showcases his respect for local Māori customs by using elements of the pepeha format while honoring his own unique story. In sharing Thabo’s pepeha urutau, we see a celebration of cultural exchange, bridging the home he left behind with the one he is building in Aotearoa whilst he attends university. The inclusion of beloved aspects of his South African background, such as the love for bobotie (a spicy dish similar to a shepherd's pie) and the pride for Table Mountain, adds a meaningful, personal touch. This pepeha urutau is a rich and respectful introduction that demonstrates the beauty of embracing diverse narratives in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and connection.
Tēnā koutou katoa i tēnei rā. Anei taku pepeha urutau: (Greetings to you all on this day. Here is my adapted pepeha.)
Ko Afrika tōku whakapaparanga mai. (My heritage comes from Africa.)
Ko Cape Town te wāhi i whānau mai au. (Cape Town is the place where I was born.)
Ko Cape Town te wāhi i tipu ake au. (Cape Town is the place where I grew up.)
Ko Te Maunga Tēpu te maunga i tipu ake i raro rā. (Table Mountain is the mountain I grew up beneath.)
Ko Athlone High School te kura i ako au. (Athlone High School is the school where I studied.)
Ko Tāmaki Makau Rau te wāhi e noho ana au inaiānei. (Auckland is the place where I currently live.)
Ko Waipapa Taumata Rau te wāhi e ako ana au. (The University of Auckland is where I study.)
Ko Maungawhau te maunga e arohaina ana e au. (Maungawhau is the mountain that I love.)
Ko tētahi mea ngaro ki ahau, ko te bobotie. (Something dear to me is bobotie.)
Ko Thabo ahau.(I am Thabo.)
Nā reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. (And so, greetings to you, greetings to us all.)
Thabo’s pepeha urutau beautifully encapsulates his journey from the vibrant cultural heart of Cape Town to his new life in Auckland. It honors his African heritage and the formative experiences beneath Table Mountain while also celebrating his ongoing connection with Aotearoa through landmarks like Maungawhau. By weaving together the cherished memories of his upbringing—right down to the delight of bobotie—with the spirit of his new home, Thabo’s introduction becomes a heartfelt narrative of identity, belonging, and the rich tapestry of multicultural exchange.
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