A nation that belongs to all its people
The Fever interviewed people from the South Coast to find out how they celebrate their heritage. It is their personal views, opinions and quotes published in good faith but do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper.
Heritage Day (September 24) was recognised as a public holiday in 1996 by former President Nelson Mandela, who said it was South Africa’s varied and shared cultures that made the country great. There has been an initiative to celebrate these shared cultures by braaiing but not everyone agrees with this notion. The Fever interviewed people from the South Coast to find out how they celebrate their heritage. It is their personal views, opinions and quotes published in good faith but do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper.
Meet the Woodhouse family
Monica Woodhouse lives with her husband Basil Ian Woodhouse in Uvongo. “I have eight girls, three that grew in my womb and five that grew in my heart, Brenda, Laura, Sonja, Heidi, Wendy, Ntombi, Sne and Monique. I have 16 grandchildren.”
Languages spoken
Monica’s mother tongue is Swedish but she speaks Afrikaans and isiZulu.
Nostalgic memories of home
My mother’s cooking – there was always enough for anyone to join in. Fika – which is a typical Swedish coffee or tea break with a savoury or sweet snack or both.
Culture misconception
That all ‘Whites’ are racists, and that we are not considered African because we have pale skin… I was born in Swaziland, my husband in Zambia, and our children in South Africa, but we are labelled as European when we are as African as you can get. I could have chosen to live in Sweden and I would have had comforts beyond my current life, education would have been from the top drawer, for free and so the list could go on. I want people to understand that I love South Africa, its beautiful people, children, families, lifestyle, and our church which looks beyond age or demographics.
Best advice given
“Ta hand om ören, så ta kronan hand om sig själv”. ”Take care of the cents and the Rands will take care of themselves.” My father used to say that as he was not a wealthy man, but he knew how to handle money in a way that we never went without the essentials, he always paid his bills on time, and handled his cents very well.
On the day
We will be braaiing, something we love to do, and the children and grandchildren that are around can join in. We love family gatherings and I will fly the South African flag at the braai.
Proud Azole Jezile
I am a proud Xhosa man who lives in Port Shepstone but originally from the Eastern Cape. I have a big family with mom being Nosicelo Jezile, Zamuxolo Jezile (dad), Asenawo Jezile (sister), and brother (Chuma Reve)
Heritage Day
We will gather at my mother’s home doing a traditional ceremony for my late grandfather from September 22 to 24.
Family traditions
Imbeleko, Umgidi, and Intonjane.
Favourite dish
uMvubo
Home truths
“Umuntu ngumntu ngabantu” This is a quote I always use daily to help other people because I don’t know when will I need help and from whom.
Introducing Marlene Stephens
Marlene lives in Southport with her husband Randy Stephens. They have two children, Kathleen and Braxton.
Celebrating Heritage Day
Heritage Day is usually a time of relaxation, time off work where we usually have a braai.
Memories of home
Home is wherever we are, together. It’s a time of music, games, shared meals, time spent in nature, and laughter. Christmas, Easter and summer holidays have always been important times in my family. It’s a time to gather with brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends to celebrate the beauty of life. It still is. My children have grown up with their extended family, enjoying long days at the beach, fishing, picnics in the countryside, all-night parties, sunrise breakfasts, meals and gatherings.
My culture
As a person of colour, I’ve always felt that people ‘mock’ us because they feel that we have no culture. Many people have a perception that ‘Coloured’ people are gangsters, alcoholics, lack culture and are uneducated. However, our culture is what makes me feel that we are the South Africans that Thabo Mbeki referenced in his “I am an African” speech. We embrace all aspects of where we come from and our culture is different according to province, language, religion, and individual family histories. We are uniquely the same but different. It is the similarities that allow us to be comfortable amongst any other culture and tradition of other South Africans.
Last word
We need to embrace our similarities more than we focus on our differences.
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