SA – a united or divided country?

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Despite the merry socialising, we so often forget the purpose of Heritage Day, on which all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa.

Here is a quick history lesson.

In KwaZulu-Natal, September 24 was formerly known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the legendary Zulu King Shaka Zulu.

When the proposed Public Holidays Bill before the New South African Parliament omitted Shaka Day, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected.

A compromise was reached when it was decided to create a day where all South Africans could observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage.

This year’s Heritage Day (under the theme Reclaiming, Restoring and Celebrating our Living Heritage) was significant (sorry, more history) as it marked 100 years since the promulgation of the 1913 Native Land Act.

This was a statute through which black people were dispossessed of their land, livestock, seeds, wagons and all forms of production.

Secondly, the year 2013 marks the centenary of the opening of the Union Buildings, which is the seat of the executive arm of the state.

The Union Buildings were constructed as a symbol of unity between the English and the Afrikaners following the Act of Union of 1909.

This Act excluded black people from the main body politic of South Africa.

Heritage Day has recently gained more impetus, as it coincides with National Braai Day.

In the vein of celebrating shared culture rather than focusing on cultural divisions, the day came about as a result of Braai4Heritage calling upon all South Africans to celebrate their common roots by having a braai (barbeque) on September 24.

In the beginning, the idea has had some high profile converts, the most notable being Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who, in 2007, was made the national spokesperson for “Braai Day”.

Well, that is quite a mouthful when it comes to Heritage Day, and something to remember for next year.

The question that, however, needs to be asked as we reflect back on Heritage Day, is if this country is truly becoming united or are we still a country grossly divided?

In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, former President Nelson Mandela stated: “When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.”

Without a doubt, South Africa has a rich history of traditions and culture, after all, it came about to incorporate Shaka Day.

But, even though, theoretically, the strength in diversity can help to build a united nation, one cannot help but to wonder if our diversity is what is still dividing the nation, instead of providing the building blocks.

For most people, September 24 was a day of fun and sharing, but behind the smiles and laughter, are South Africans truly beginning the embrace each other, or are we living in a fool’s paradise?

This reminds me of the Soccer World Cup in 2010 – the nation was united during this momentous occasion, but once the tourists left and the spotlight retracted, how many of the old scars of conflict between the different ethnic groups remained and still remain?

This is the problem with events such as Heritage Day and the Soccer World Cup – in a twinkling of eye we can forget and forgive, but deep seated prejudices and our nagging ability to remain intolerant is sometimes not so easily resolved.

In his Heritage Day speech, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said, in East London: “We celebrate this heritage with the conscious understanding that there is a great deal about our history that is bad and hurtful, yet we must accept it as part of the growing pains of the free society we set out to create in 1994; a society that is united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and just.

“The telling of our history in an all-encompassing way will help us appreciate the freedom we enjoy today as no exclusive preserve of any one social grouping, but a proud heritage of all South Africans.

“Having travelled this long and arduous road to freedom, we have, as South Africans, come a long way in addressing injustice, inequality and poverty, but still have much more to achieve.”

Our Deputy President surely reflected the sentiments of Nelson Mandela, of a united, yet diverse land.

And so, one wants to believe that South Africa is indeed growing out of the pain of the past and even the pain of the now, as violence keeps wounding this nation.

One can also but hope that the joy seen during Heritage Day is a true reflection of growing reconciliation ,instead of a mask to hide imbedded bitterness.