Written by Bheki Khawula.
Photos by Neliswa Nhlabathi.
On Wednesday, 28 September 2022, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works held a Heritage Day celebration at Harry Gwala District Office eXobho. This was on a cloudy with a little drizzle day. The temperature was moderate, not hot and not cold but just a compromise between the two. This kind of weather made it possible to accommodate such an outdoor event setup.
When welcoming all the attendees, Miss Nokwanda Dube (Regional Director Southern Region) made a call for everyone to go back to basics. She encouraged people to revisit the old time habits. To support one another and speak good about one another in order to make a good work family support structure. She emphasized that the correctly cultured and one spirited workforce will always move towards an intensified desired organizational productivity.
Miss Nomcebo Shange from Life Line made a speech about gender based violence (GBV). She began by describing various types of violence. She said that there is a high prevalence of reported cases of gender based violence in the Harry Gwala District. She said, the way in which people are raised up, has an effect in what they become in their adult age. She also spoke about the role of cultural beliefs and practice in GBV.
Nomcebo spoke about physical abuse that which takes place in love relationships. She said that assaulting and shouting at each other as partners or lovers is a big sign of disrespect. She also spoke about emotional abuse. She mentioned that this involves throwing vulgar or insults to one another. In many cases where there are mistakes committed in relationships, they are largely attributed to the female partners. Said Nomcebo.
Male partners are also victims of GBV. There are women who use their male partners and multiple-line them up for their selfish and greedy financial fix or convenience. There are video clips depicting male partners being abused and assaulted. These result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide being committed. She cautioned partners from invading each other’s cellular phones. She encouraged partners to often appreciate one another and take each other out continuously.
Mr Nhlapo from Department of Arts and Culture spoke about cultural development. He began by explaining the Zulu traditional wear for people of all sizes and both sexes. He also narrated the importance of this month in the religious and cultural aspect, saying that Nazareth Baptist Church members as well as Zulus have significance attached to September. He encouraged all the attendees to love their culture. Finally, he thanked all present staff members for participating in this cultural event and said that loving the culture is self-loving.
In closing, Mr. T.W. Nkomo from Harry Gwala District Office requested all attendees to please close the gap that which creates a division between all the people. With this, indeed unity will be forged, continued Mr Nkomo. He concluded by requesting that such events must not seize to take place in Harry Gwala District. The jubilations, traditional singing and dancing by all staff members dressed to kill in their traditional gear is indicative enough of the fact that Harry Gwala is indeed the place in which to gather people and let them interact to strengthen their work relations, promoting Public Works oneness spirit prevalence.
