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Heritage Day celebrated
- Details
- 21 September 2012
PASSENGERS and staff are looking forward to Heritage Day as a time to celebrate South Africa’s diverse cultures and build a new national identity.
IN a few days, the country will be celebrating its heritage with the annual public holiday known as Heritage Day on 24 September. Its significance rests in recognising the many diverse aspects of South African culture.
The aim of the day is to promote the need for a new South African identity and to foster reconciliation and unity. In the build-up to the day, on Thursday, 20 September, many Rea Vaya staff members and passengers shared their opinions on what the day meant to them.
Adel Stegmann, a passenger at Park Station, said Heritage Day was a time to learn about the country’s history and other cultures. “The conservation of the various forms of cultural heritage is an important fact in social cohesion and peace,” said Stegmann.
She plans to go camping with family and friends to celebrate the day.
Maca Boshielo, a cashier at Joburg Art Gallery Station lamented the loss of interest in heritage by the youth. “The breakdown of the family and collective nurturing culture has resulted in many of the youth losing their way.”
He added that black African society was paying dearly for neglecting its traditions and customs in preference for those from the Western world. “I wish we could go back to our elders to learn more about our traditions so that we have something to pass on to the next generation.”
Boshielo said Heritage Day should be celebrated more often to help the youth understand their culture.
College student Allen Mkandla was a passenger at the gallery station. He said that preserving the country’s cultural heritage would go a long way in explaining the rich cultural, political, social and educational values to generations still unborn.
“Preserving our culture is a human right and must be accorded due respect and allowed to flourish,” said Mkandla. “If you don’t know your culture and roots, you will always feel lost.” He added that culture helped to guide people in life
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