Heritage Day: Cultural Pride and Diversity the sweet dessert

Diversity is a slice of a sweet and sour cake, known to many as life. However, there is more to this cake than meets the taste. Diversity is made from a priceless recipe. Its flavours are unique and difficult to gather, yet it brings a nation together. Former president Nelson Mandela said in 1996, “When our first democratically-elected government 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”. Mandela went on to refer South Africa as a rainbow nation of which it is indeed.

Helderberg College began a custom several years ago to celebrate the 24th of September with its staff, students, and lecturers. Today the custom continues with the flame still burning brighter than ever. Heritage Day has become a unique and joyous celebration to many individuals who live both on and off campus. It’s a special day where no matter what colour you are white, black, yellow or green you can show your cultural pride as never seen before.

Traditional instruments sound a distance away as I approach Anderson Hall. The earth shakes as the instruments build in rhythm. The sounds increase in pace as I start climbing the stairs to the lobby. Yes, it’s that time of the year when cultural pride is tattooed on all five senses. September 24th 2012 is here and the mind is saying, “today I take you back to the great motherhood roots”.

 Inside the hall the soft seats relax my mind and body, while music starts to play. Flag bearers start walking down the aisle carrying their respective countries’ flags to the front. China, Brazil, South Africa, United States of America, India, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Namibia, Cameroon, Argentina, Indonesia, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar; such diversity  is surely unique  on  such a small campus as Helderberg. A buzz of noise vibrates the room as the congregation rises to the respected national anthems. A young boy gazes at the empty canvas ceiling above as he sings the South African national anthem louder than most: a little solo you might say. The clock seems to be moving faster now as the last anthem is sang.

 Silence fills the room as groups organize themselves to present traditional dances, poems, plays and songs in the hall. Zulu women approach the stage in orange attire. They pause for a second after arranging themselves on stage, in an instant the hall is mute and just before you can hear your own heartbeat they start dancing. The dance is cut short, but it does not kill the pride on their faces as they walk off stage feeling good about their cultural heritage. Zimbabweans present a skit with inspirational motives and comedy, describing their beautiful culture. Countries keep coming and going as they describe several things about their beloved nations. Two Asian women perform a magical dance with traditional attire and for a split second, I felt like I belonged to that country. It was like I teleported to that country for just that performance. I had never seen so many countries represented in Helderberg before and for a moment; I was wishing I could have represented my beloved Kenya. The colours in the hall were pure inspiration, if Michael Angelo was in the building he would truly have painted the masterpiece I was seeing.

The celebrations conclude from the hall, but as lunch approaches, a glance at the programme says Traditional Meals in Cafeteria. Like a flock of hungry vultures, the crowd rushes to the cafeteria where cuisines from around the world await them. The cafeteria was suffocated with beautiful aromas from all over the world. The dishes stood out on tables as the crowds increased in the building. Samples are given to anyone who wants, the Brazilian table present two dishes named pastel and the other Bobó de camarão. A South African table further away displays a traditional Zulu dish called the isit shulu, a very delicious lamb stew. The mouth-watering lamb concludes a perfect celebration of cultural pride and diversity.

Diversity the slice of a sweet and sour cake known to many as life, made from a priceless recipe. An ingredient that unites nations, conquers inequalities, promotes freedom and cultural pride.