The adage ‘We borrow the present from our future generation’ didn’t run hollow for one Alex youngster on Heritage Day.
The day honours the country’s various cultures and people’s emotional and personal expressions through song, dance, attire and dialogue, and is meant to unite and enrich the nation.
One Alex African youth, Refiloe Khunou, seemed well attuned to the meaning and importance of celebrating this day, and if it were up to him, celebrating and recognising diverse cultures should be part of our daily lives, starting in the home and in schools.
Khunou said the various African cultures represented beauty and a spirit of self-love. “If you know your culture, feel free to express it anywhere, anytime, through attire and traditional practice,” he said.
In reference to the xenophobia attacks which took place in April, Khunou said that this self-love was a process that should educate others and deserves respect, rather than fighting and judging each other.
Heritage Day includes informative discussions aimed at benefiting the younger generation in a bid to preserve their culture. However, often, the dialogues are overshadowed by dance and attire – which seem to be more of a competition and less educational.
