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Heritage Day: An insult to black culture

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I am a proud Zulu woman. There are many things I like about my culture - from its poetic language that flows like smooth music to my ears and can be so descriptive in a few words, to its vibrant traditional clothing that represents the lively and resilient spirit of our tribe.

Such attributes of my culture leave me proud and satisfied.

Read more: Stop cherry-picking your heritage

With Heritage Day approaching I thought I’d take a closer look at how relevant my culture is in this country in 2016. For those unaware, the 24th of September is marked as Heritage Day in South Africa.

On this day all South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their cultural and traditional beliefs. 

As a black South African, this day serves as a reminder that my cultural existence is only officially accepted on 1 day out 365 days.

Why must I celebrate Heritage Day while every other day I have to either conform to white culture or fight for my cultural identity to be represented and recognized?

That if I’m to celebrate my cultural identity I can only freely and unapologetically do so on this day. But not on any other day like when I’m at work and I choose to wear a doek while performing my work duties, like Nontobeko Sibisi, the eNCA journalist who had her story pulled off air for wearing a doek while reporting on Africa Day. 

Or like the black school girls from Pretoria Girls’ High School (and many other unreported model C and township schools) who aren’t allowed to wear their hair naturally as an afro or dreadlocks because it doesn’t look neat.

Or how the same black school children in Model C schools like San Souci are punished and in some cases fined for speaking their home language.

But on the 24th of September these are the very same things they are expected to celebrate?

Essentially, Heritage Day isn’t about celebrating black culture, it’s about remembering it.

Why must I celebrate Heritage Day while every other day I have to either conform to white culture or fight for my cultural identity to be represented and recognized?

Everyone in South Africa may have a heritage, but some people have the social, ideological and cultural capital which allows them to celebrate their heritage daily whereas others don’t.

I fear that we are gradually reaching a time where African culture will be inganekwane (a fairy tale) that we tell to our children at family gatherings. 

Essentially, Heritage Day isn’t about celebrating black culture, it’s about remembering it. And there exists a huge difference between the two.

Do you think you have a strong culture? And do you feel Heritage Day celebrates that?  Tell us what you think.

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