On Tuesday, 24 September South Africa celebrates Heritage Day.
In a country with eleven official languages and as much diversity when it comes to cultures and customs, heritage can be a difficult concept. We really do not seem to be have many traditions shared by all South Africans. One clear thing we have in common however when it comes to our cultures and traditions, is that we all like to braai and hence Heritage Day’s “nickname”, National Braai (Barbeque) Day!
Being part of a family that has always treasured heritage and a company that enjoys sharing cultural assets with its visitors, heritage has become such a part of our everyday lives. How fortunate are we!
On Tuesday, South African radio station RSG will be broadcasting live from Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards and the focus will be on our heritage and how most of us enjoy cooking over open fires – I will even share my favourite recipe for the braai!
I will however also be chatting to presenter, Martelize Brink about the Franschhoek Valley and how the French history and influences have been shaped into an authentic Franschhoek heritage.
At La Motte wine estate we share the heritage of the area, the wine, the food and the architecture with visitors via an array of experiences. We are passionate about our culture and traditions and enjoy introducing people to those things we treasure. So passionate are we about the heritage of our food, that we have published a cookbook called Cape Winelands Cuisine that as well as the recipes, shares the history behind the food of the Winelands.
It is all good to be excited about where you come from and the traditions you know, but I think a very important part of Heritage Day is not only to celebrate the heritage you know, but also to try and understand the heritage of others and to appreciate the cultural differences and traditions of our Rainbow Nation.
Only when everyone can be proud of his/her heritage and when we can all acknowledge our differences with appreciation rather than judgement, might we understand a bit more about what makes our country so unique and what it is that international visitors see and experience and enjoy when they visit our country of diversity.
