Colleagues representing the KZN Department of Public Works Head Office look stunning in their traditional attire. Different racial groups formed part of a-day long programme held on Wednesday.
PIETERMARITZBURG: Recently, the KZN Department of Public Works’ Change Management and Service Delivery Sub-Directorate extended an invitation to our Departmental Team of Government Communicators to provide media coverage and give prominence to the Heritage Day celebration.
As per the calendar of events, the 28 September 2022 was earmarked as a special day for celebration. Well-organized festivities became the order of the day at the main Auditorium of the KZN Department of Public Works’ Headquarters in Pietermaritzburg.
A myriad of live traditional performances and well-rehearsed performances of different racial origins took centre stage. The entire day’s proceedings catapulted solid recognition and cultural wealth of our nation.
The core business of the day was to touch on the importance of Ubuntu (humanity) and reflect on the the theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa’s Indigenous Music.”
The line-up of activities covered interesting presentations on Indian, IsiZulu, Seswati, Sesotho and Isixhosa Dance. This is where the invited Guest Speaker, Dr Ngogi Mahaye’s impressive and well-articulated speech attracted “oohs and aahs” from the audience which packed the venue capacity.
In his opening remarks, Dr Mahaye describes Ubuntu as a broad concept which in simplest terms means caring for one another. This concept embodies the values and norms around mutual respect and moral compass. It also touches on good practices associated with extending a helping hand to the needy. Most importantly, this concept when put into perspective, cuts across all cultures with the notion that, all cultures are equal, even when coupled with their respective customs.
A round of applause echoed full blast when, he concluded the day by saying, the racist claim that Ubuntu is primitive, archaic and non-universal must be rejected with the contempt it deserves. He goes on to say, this was one way to silence and relegate African culture so that people perceive their cultural wealth as barbarism.
Colleagues were commended for organizing such an event of this magnitude and urged to continue preserving their different cultures and reject racism, sexism, tribalism and religious intolerance.
Such challenges create conflicts and negate social cohesion, nation building and economic development.
South Africans have a duty to deal decisively with the added of imported religions that have been adapted to justify slavery, colonialism and the superiority of one race over others.
Story by: Bonginkosi Nhaca
Pictures by: Lungile Mseleku