Happy Heritage Day
Published: September 24, 2023<< BACK TO NEWS
Fellow residents. I take pleasure in wishing you a
happy and enjoyable Heritage Day despite the cold and rainy weather.
I am sure, like me, you are also happy to have the
rain, but would happily exchange the bitter cold for sunshine. However, we need the rain
in order for our water resources to be replenished, despite the bitter cold and
the flooding of localized areas.
Even Mother Nature shows us that with the good comes
the less desirable. Much in the same way, opportunity comes with adversity.
The opportunity we have now, is to claw back the gains
we made during and shortly after 1994, when racial and cultural diversity were
celebrated and appreciated with enthusiasm and acceptance. Sadly, we lost that
spirit of unity and tolerance.
We already made so many concessions to be more
accommodative and accede to change for the common good.
The 24th of September used to be known as
Shaka Day to commemorate the legacy of Shaka Zulu, the phenomenal Zulu leader,
who died on this day in 1828.
As a compromise and to be more inclusive, the
post-Apartheid government changed the name of the day to Heritage Day. The
political landscape was completely changed for the better.
Nelson Mandela once said: "With democracy, we have the
opportunity to ensure that our institutions reflect history in a way that
respects the heritage of all our citizens.”
We are all amazing in our own way, enriched by our
heritage, beliefs, traditions and unique experiences. Together, we are so much
stronger as families, communities and leaders.
We must therefore hold firm as a community and take
ownership of our environment, whether it is nature or our community.
Hopefully the cold weather will not deter you from
celebrating fully. Enjoy every moment but remain vigilant and cautious.
I thank you.
Cllr Gary
van Niekerk
Executive Mayor
Top stories
.jpg)