South African culture operates as a vibrant tapestry of kaleidoscopic contrasts. This rich heritage highlights the differences and invites community and reflection through shared traditions. In celebration of heritage month (September), I wrote the following poem:
From the shadow of the Drakensberg to the wide Karoo,
a tapestry woven in every shade and hue.
The soil holds the footprints of the Khoi and the San
where the ancient story of our land began.
We wake up in the morning and enjoy a bowl of pap
then answer our messages and figure out what's up.
An afternoon spicy bunny chow is eaten until out of sight
and the sweetest koeksisters are braided and fried.
At the Friday night Shabbat table, traditions and sharing
presents the blessing of kichel and herring.
From Portuguese peri-peri to a Greek festive dance,
Mediterranean tables and oriental Asian noodles as thin as glass.
We are a blend of the world at the tip of Africa's southern shore
where family and friends always have a welcoming door.
We snack on biltong in the evening while watching the game.
Potjiekos brews in a different household; the hunger is the same.
To the braai we add lekker Mrs Ball's chutney, mango atchar or chakalaka for a tangy kick
and finish off with some Simba chips, once we've decided what flavour to pick.
We wear casual summer slip slops
or sturdy veldskoene made for the crops.
In the beaded patterns of isiZulu, Ndebele panels and Xhosa skirts,
we carry our history on items like shirts.
With the elegant drape of shweshwe designs,
we sip on the fruits of our famous Franschhoek wines.
From the Sotho blanket's warmth to the Tsonga xibelani dance
and the bright Venda minwenda that holds you in a trance.
With the Swati umtsimba and the Ndau cadence so clear,
we honour the ancestors whom we hold dear.
Twelve official languages echo from the mountains to the shores,
it's a one-of-a-kind symphony that never bores.
From the ring of church bells to the Adhan’s sweet call
and the lights of Diwali bringing peace to us all.
In the white robes of Shembe and the Buddha's calm grace
or the secular humanist heart of this space.
Every prayer and every path finds a home
beneath the wide sky where we roam.
In the click of a tongue and the warmth of a phrase,
our voices unite in a thousand distinct ways.
We share this land where the wildlife run free,
the majestic big five chill under the acacia tree.
From the lions that roar to the leopards in flight,
spot elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and don't get a fright.
Cheeky baboons climb the track
and quirky meerkats stand guard at the back.
African penguins march down Boulders beach,
this is a natural scene within daily reach.
The radio is pumping amapiano tunes blending beats with all things dope bru.
We brew up a pot of warm rooibos
a homegrown comfort that we all love, mos.
Deep in our earth and hidden way down,
our gold and platinum are renowned.
We are a nation of pioneers who have minds so bold
with medical marvels and triumphs untold.
From the Groote Schuur halls where the first heart was swapped
to the CT scan tech that has never stopped.
We cure, we care and we break through the dark
that leaves science with a permanent Saffa mark.
Our cities are crowned on the global frontier
with accolades ringing out year after year.
Voted the prettiest city where the two oceans meet,
a global design capital filled with every creative treat.
And guarding our coast with its majestic crown,
the seventh wonder wears a puffy white cloud.
We are giants of cinema, backdrop and screen
hosting epic movies the world pays to see.
Spanning the alien towers of District 9's fame
and the grit of many others, including Avengers acclaim.
Our coastline is awesome and globally praised
where blue flag beaches leave travellers amazed.
From Clifton to Umhlanga, the white sand and big blue
as well as the legendary breaks of almost every bay too.
Windsurfers come to fly where the southeaster blows
and surfing competitions test the highs and the lows.
Our stadiums roar with a passion that bleeds
with centuries written in glorious deeds.
Four times the Springboks have lifted the trophy
momentous occassions for all the world to see.
In cricket and golf, we have mastered the drive
and our swimmers keep our winning spirit alive.
We hit the hard tar where the ultra-athletes run
from the Comrades Marathon dawn to the setting of the sun.
Our rhythm has conquered the world's biggest arenas
from soulful singers to stadium pleasers.
We dance to Goldfish, Louise Carver, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba
and the tracks that Black Coffee spun in Ibiza.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo reaches a heavenly height,
we clearly have a myriad of artists who set stages alight.
Brenda Fassie, Mandoza, Danny K, Tyla, Mango Groove and Freshlyground,
we are hosts to the ultimate anthems that make the planet move with every sound.
Voices united in a chorus sublime
speaking secrets of strength from a testing time.
We remember the shadows, the chains, the bars
and the leaders who guided our eyes to the stars.
From Madiba’s great smile to Tutu's embrace,
a spirit of resilience that cannot be replaced.
We toast to our icons who took to the stage
and wrote our country's name onto history's page.
The satire of Trevor Noah that keeps the world laughing,
the peace of Mahatma Gandhi whose path we are charting.
The brilliance of Charlize Theron and Lesley-Ann Brandt under Hollywood lights
while Elon Musk launches rockets to infinite heights.
For this is our heritage and the soul of our state:
The culture, customs and practices we create.
The majestic landscapes and the objects we hold
inherited from the past, a tale proudly told.
Valued deeply in the present, protected for every madam and sir
and preserved to be passed to generations of the future.
And because we have guarded this treasure so deep,
grasp the fresh harvest that we all can now reap.
A massive foundation and an unshakeable base
proves we have the power to win any race.
With so much accomplished, we stand tall and proud;
our confidence ringing out strong and loud.
We will strive to be champions, the first and the best
for the fire of greatness burns in our chest.
Just look at our rainbow nation and the base that we've laid,
a foundation that will truly never fade.
The horizon is wider and the sky is clear,
we have so much to produce and nothing to fear.
With the strength of our past and the will of our soul,
we'll develop further and together achieve every goal.
For the journey is not finished and the best is ahead
on this African soil where only the brave dare to tread.
We are not a puzzle where the shapes must align
but a kaleidoscope catching the sunlight's design.
It is right in our differences, contrasting and bright
where the true hidden beauty breaks into the night.
In the wealth of stories and the textures of grace,
we find the essence of this sacred place.
It is a feeling that greets from the heights of the skies,
a core so rich that we can only rise.
Where the sound of amandla meets the wisdom of a gogo
and the pride of a united nation is the ultimate logo.
We shout out laduma when the ball hits the net;
a catchy tempo you can never forget.
From the shade of the fynbos to the dust on bakkies,
we step out in style, dressed to the nines and a kiff pair of takkies.
We head to the shisa nyama when the weekend is calling
with our kugels and boets while the tears from laughter are falling.
Through the hectic eish moments and all of the joys, we know who we are,
we navigate these streets past robots afar.
We will do it right now-now and not wait for a just-now
as we build for tomorrow because we already know how.
With the power of simunye, we pull together
withstanding the ever-shifting weather.
For the gees of letsema is how we all grow
with deep roots planted we know that we reep what we sow.
In a world full of splendour, we stand on the crest
with a lifestyle that proves that we are far from the rest.
From the food to the fashion, it is truly unique
and the ultimate playground that travellers seek.
From ghettos, townships, rural huts, seaside dwellings and suburban mansions
feel the diverse vibrance of the metropole, charming towns, valleys and canyons.
We split a gatsby, some samoosas and share in on the cheer,
living through it all each day of the year.
With the power of ubuntu to anchor our soul,
we step into each moment, united and whole.
It is lekker, it is pure, it is a delight
and everything clicks when the vibes are right.
It is magic, it is pure, it is bright
because the heartbeat of Mzansi is an undimmable light.
Where every experience is completely ayoba
and the global stage loves our radiant local persona.
Forever we are bonded together as chommies,
here's a hearty howzit to all heritage homies!
Howzit Heritage Homies by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo