POLOKWANE – A social cohesion advocate for the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture Matalane Mokgatla said preserving culture can be particularly challenging for the youth.
Mokgatla said this is because the youth juggle school, extracurricular activities and social media but that it is important to remember that customs and traditions are what make them unique.
“Our customs and traditions connect us with our ancestors and communities,” he said.
As Africa Month wraps up, the Polokwane Observer asked the youth of Polokwane if it is of any importance to know their roots.
Kgothatso Sathekge: It is important to know our roots given that everything is now modernised. We are lost as we don’t even know where we come from. It is sad because we have turned our backs on our traditions and customs. Some say knowing our roots is not relevant in present time, forgetting that we are here to fix what has been broken and break generational curses. All that cannot be done if we do not know our roots. Not only is it helping us, but it will also help generations to come. It is not wrong to evolve but we should never forget who we are while doing that.Portia Ntuli: I believe it is incredibly important for the youth to know their roots. Understanding where we come from and the history of our country helps us develop a sense of identity and belonging and enables us to appreciate the rich cultural diversity that exists in South Africa. By learning about our past, we can also gain insight into the challenges that our country has faced and the progress that we have made towards building an equal society. Ultimately, knowing our roots can inspire us to work towards a brighter future for all South Africans.Thermocious Mashabela: Understanding the events of the past can give us the backdrop that we need to better understand ourselves and where we came from. People often spend time in their youth trying to understand who they are. Knowing about your heritage is in fact a great way to find yourself.Wilson Malatji: It is absolutely necessary and significant as it gives a sense of identity. I strongly believe that matters most when learning who you are and where you come from. It will also help you with knowing your family health history as we know that there are some other sicknesses that are hereditary like epilepsy. Your roots can also motivate you as you may discover something about a family member that you would want to follow.For more breaking news follow us on FacebookTwitter Instagram or join our WhatsApp group
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Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
