Ekurhuleni is a melting pot of cultural diversity. We have such a cosmopolitan society that most of us have become culturally diluted, and it is a real challenge to bridge this gap.
Very few Ekurhuleni residents really understand the real meaning behind Heritage Day that will be celebrated this week.
United in our diversity we celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the complex population sectors of our community.
It is a day of celebrating our rich cultural diversity and events will be staged throughout Ekurhuleni to commemorate this day.
Heritage day is also known as National Braai Day and unites South Africans through our culinary tradition. This backyard social events, or “braai” as it is known in Afrikaans, is a cultural marvel in its own right. For some, it will be an opportunity to get together with family and friends for a braai, but does this take into account the multitude of cultures that make up our “rainbow nation”?
For me heritage is a very unique and precious, because it helps all of us to define our cultural identity. Knowing who you are and where you fit in, lies at the center of our social well-being, and it has the power to build social cohesion in our community. Our heritage has the potential to affirm our diverse cultures and in so doing shape our national character as a “rainbow nation”.
I believe our heritage celebrates our collective achievements. It deepens our understanding of each other and our society, while at the same time it encourages us to celebrate the experience of others. It goes without saying that the significance of Heritage Day cannot be over-emphasised, as it establishes unity in our diversity.
Braai Day has built an indestructible bridge between communities and cultures to create an event that can be enjoyed by anyone from any diverse background. This public holiday has become instrumental in uniting us into a cohesive society that encourages Ekurhuleni residents to come together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the diversity of our rainbow nation.
To quote Nelson Mandela: “When we decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation” Lekker Braai!
