Every year around this time the fire surrounding Braai Day versus Heritage Day debate is rekindled.
The debate leaves me cold though. Especially after one of my compatriots quickly lashed out when I referred to the day as Braai Day and said I will be braaing on the day. The first thing that struck me as ironic is that while it is a day to celebrate the spectrum of diversity in a so called free society (note I do not use the word democracy) I have to conform and celebrate the day (if I even feel like celebrating it) in a way which is politically correct. (May I add that I find political correctness one of the singular most offensive practices against my personal liberties which includes freedom of speech).
In our beautiful country, excluding Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Day of Good Will, we have nine other public holidays. Some, such as Workers Day, have political undertones and in its case origins in Communism, and you are welcome to agree with this political philosophy (that is after all your right), but should the next person who do not ascribe to them be forced to celebrate them?
Me thinks not.
Which bring me to the real issue at hand. A few years ago a certain Jan Scannel became Jan Braai and single handedly in the name of self-promotion informally renamed the day to National Braai Day and so sparked the debate. Are you unpatriotic if you do not celebrate every public holiday with nothing more than a braai and a few good friends? Are you unpatriotic then if you are exercising your right to freely associate by not agreeing with the government? Are you unpatriotic if you support Japan and not the Springboks just because you enjoy a spirited sport team? I do not hear anyone forcing anyone else to celebrate the Christian holiday that is Christmas or the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanha.
Maybe petty debates like this just shows that we have not matured much since 1994. Why not celebrate an anti-corruption day? Or better service delivery day? Although there are defenders of calling it National Braai Day I have yet to hear this faction criticising The Heritage Day faction for wanting to celebrate it as such.
Well, if you want to dress up, sing folk songs and eat your ethnic group’s favourite food, I am happy for you and encourage you to do so. Just do not try and force me.
In all honesty I’ll admit – for me it is just a welcome chance to take a break, spend it with my family, and yes, braai.
(I apologise to my vegetarian and vegan friends.)
