The Provincial Government is calling upon all communities to unite and promote peace and friendship throughout September, the Heritage month. Speaking today 21 September 2009, Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize said government consulted widely to ensure that all activities reflected the Rainbow Nation.
When the government of national unity came to power, it adopted an inclusive and holistic approach of celebrating Heritage month so as to encourage social cohesion and nation building.
"We need to showcase the diversity of our cultures while we simultaneously show our unity as One People and One Nation. Under the apartheid regime, communities had been segregated socially, economically and geographically. But now we have a democratic government and a prosperous country which belongs to all who live in it, black and white," Dr Mkhize remarked.
He further noted: "Our history has shown that nothing good will come without working together. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to work in unity to protect the democracy that so many of our brothers and sisters paid their lives for."
The Heritage Day is scheduled to take place on the 24th at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg under the theme "Celebrating South African Craft, Our Heritage.
The event which starts at 08h00 will reflect different cultures in great depth, with food, song and dance in exhibition. The people of KwaZulu-Natal will bring along their traditional food, perform traditional dances, and display their traditional regalia and craft.
A multi-cultural food cuisine element has been added to the celebrations, where participating nationalities will prepare their traditional foods to be eaten on the day. Among communities that have confirmed to prepare their dishes are; Zimbabwean, Gujarathi, Telegu, Tamil, Hindi, Islamic, Sotho, Portuguese, Taiwanese, Griquas, Cuban, Swazi, German, Xhosa, French, Afrikaans Traditional, Afrikaans Weskus, Zulu, Italian and Ghanaian.
On 26 September, the provincial government will commemorate the life of King Shaka ka Senzangakhona in an event which will be attended by close to 20 000 people in KwaDukuza Recreation Grounds. The purpose of this event is to pay homage to King Shaka and other great Kings of the Zulu nation and to teach the younger generations about this rich heritage. The program of the day will also reflect on achievements of King Shaka and will also highlight the importance of the House of Traditional Leadership.
Heritage Month has provided the opportunity to reflect on the long road the people of South Africa have travelled in search for democracy we are enjoying today. At one stage South Africa was a very tricky and difficult test but certain revolutionaries and leaders managed to pass this test. These include Ntelezi kaKhukhulela Msani (UNdunankulu of Ezinkumbini Ezimfece), from Mthwalume. Ntelezi, as he was affectionately known, laid down his life when he vehemently opposed the colonial government on the imposition of poll tax over Zulu males in 1906.
On the 27th an event will be held at Mjahweni Sport Ground – in Mzumbe Municipality in commemoration of Ntelezi kaKhukhulela Msani. Ntelezi was tried by the Kangaroo court chaired by Mckenzie on 20 March 1906 at Emjahweni near Mpande Bottle Store in Mthwalume. He was sentenced to death which was receded to fifteen years of hard labour and was exiled to St Helena. This was the last day he was seen on the South African Soil. He died of a controversial illness and was buried in St Helena in 1910.
Another planned activity is our Senior Citizens' Parliament on 29 to 30 September in Ladysmith. 1 October, will be set aside to honour senior citizens also in Ladysmith. In an effort to provide an ICT infrastructure throughout the province, a multi-million rand uMgungundlovu Centre has been constructed in the eMakhosini Valley, near Ulundi. Four centuries of stirring Zulu history have been captured in a state-of-the-art, high definition and surround sound film that will be a key attraction to the facility.
The valley is part of the 28 000 hectares eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park, an initiative between Amafa and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to re-create the ancient cultural and natural landscape, first settled in the 17th century by Zulu people. The aim is to create a rich heritage site with information around events of historical importance in the region. The centre will be officially opened on a date to be announced.
The Premier has emphasised that any programme to promote social transformation and foster national reconciliation will largely depend, not only on government, but on the effective participation of the civil society.
"I want to encourage all of us to reflect on what legacy we want to pass on to future generations. Together, I am certain, we can build a nation that is socially stable and takes pride in its heritage."
Media contact:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
E-mail: sibiyand@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Vukani Mbhele
Cell: 083 307 8964
E-mail: mbhelev@kzndc.gov.za
Issued by: Office the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
20 September 2009
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
