Embrace what makes us South Africans

To celebrate National Heritage Day, Boulders Shopping Centre held its first-ever heritage festival on September 24.

The colourful event saw dancers from near and far, singers, performers, the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission, Human Rights Commission and other visitors come together to celebrate different cultures.

Redefine Properties’ portfolio manager, Howard Kekana, explained that celebrating heritage formed part of their marketing strategy for the Boulders Shopping Centre.

The event was proposed and endorsed by the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission given the events at the centre in March as reported in the Midrand Reporter article Ensure African Culture Isn’t Lost [Week ending April 3]. “It was recommended that we do it next year in March, however, today [Heritage Day] seemed like the most relevant day for us to execute something like this and I think it has turned out very well,” Kekana said.

He added that festival would become an annual event.

To take it to the next level, next year, the company plans to roll it out at all their retail properties around Gauteng.

He concluded, “This was the first step in highlighting our culture as Boulders and those of South Africa. We have banners around the mall, each representative of our different cultures. Boulders is now the perfect platform to really embrace and again educate our people, especially the young generation. Hence, we have schools, crèches, and other institutions.”

As for highlighting the history behind the Boulders name, Kekana alluded that they were planning something far more significant to reveal the culture and history around the Boulders facility. “Unfortunately, a lot of people do not understand where the name Boulders comes from. Next year as well, people can expect some education around the history of the Boulders Shopping Centre,” he concluded.

Details: Boulders Shopping Centre 010 036 2279.

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