Page 44 - Silver Lakes Issue 8_2022
P. 44

LIFESTYLE


                       CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE



                                                       By Josh Truter



        Heritage Day, coming up on 24 September, is a day that celebrates South Africa’s roots, along with the rich,
                              vibrant and diverse cultures that make up our Rainbow Nation.




             o  matter  where  in  the  world  one   DID YOU KNOW?                   •  Mahatma Gandhi formed the Natal
             goes, the locals  in  each country will   •  During  the  Second  Anglo  Boer  War   Indian  Ambulance  Corps  which,
       Nbe  able  to  recount  tales  of  suffering   (October 1899  to May 1902), the Boers   consisted of 300 Indian settlers and
        and  conflict.  There  will  also  be  stories  of   were  supported  by  volunteer  soldiers   800  indentured  Indian  labourers.
        people who have overcome impossible odds   from the Netherlands, France, Germany,   They  supported  the  British  and
        to become beacons of hope and inspiration to   Belgium,  Scandinavia,  Finland,  Poland,   served  as  stretcher  bearers  and
        the masses.                               Hungary,  Greece,  Italy,  Ireland,  the  US   assisted  with  transporting  the
                                                  (Irish and Dutch Americans), Russia, and   wounded  soldiers  who  needed
        Our democracy in the bigger scheme of world   Australia.  The  British  were  supported   medical care. When Gandhi came
        events is still young and there are plenty of   by soldiers from Canada, Australia, New   to South Africa, his intention was
        growing  pains  –  and  most  likely  there  will   Zealand,  India,  individual  mercenaries   to stay for just one year. He ended
        be  many  more.  We  are  lucky,  though,  that   from  the  US,  and  Italy.  Both  sides  used   up  staying  for  21  years  before
        we  are  able  to  applaud  the  achievements   local tribesmen to assist with tending the   heading back to India.
        of numerous South Africans who have       horses,  setting  up  the  camps,  carrying
        risen up and tackled some of our trials and   ammunition,  and  sometimes  even   Of  course,  celebrating  our  South
        tribulations head-on.                     engaging in the fighting.          African  heritage  goes  beyond  one
                                                                                     war  or  even  a  few  individuals  –  it’s
        We have also had the benefit of support from   •  Winston  Churchill  was  captured  just   about  all  the  people  who  make  up
        many countries and communities around the   two  weeks  after  his  arrival  as  war   our  Rainbow  Nation  –  although,  as
        world and, in celebrating our South African   correspondent for British newspaper The   we can see, many of us can claim links
        heritage, perhaps this is a good opportunity   Morning Post. He managed to escape and   to  a  variety  of  the  nationalities  that
        to  take  a  look  at  some  of  the  nationalities   made his way to Mozambique. He then   participated way back when.
        that  played  a  significant  role  in  one  of   signed  up  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  British
        those defining ‘moments’ at the turn of last   army and was witness to the occupation   One  of  the  best  ways  to  appreciate
        century.                                  of Pretoria by the British Forces.  the  melting  pot  of  cultures  in  South
                                                                                     Africa  is  by  exploring  the  different
                                                                                     types  of  cuisine  on  offer.  Think  of
                                                                                     Portuguese  peri-peri  chicken,  Italian
                                                                                     pizza,  German  sausages,  an  English
                                                                                     breakfast,  Dutch  milk  tart,  Indian
                                                                                     curry, Greek meze, French croissants,
                                                                                     Cape  Malay  bobotie,  along  with
                                                                                     the  pap,  samp  and  beans,  morogo,
                                                                                     walkie  talkies,  amasi  and  sorghum
                                                                                     beer  enjoyed  by  our  local  tribes,
                                                                                     and  you  can  see  that  our  influences
                                                                                     are  many  and  widespread.  Add  to
                                                                                     these  biltong,  droëwors,  boerewors,
                                                                                     potjiekos,  bunny  chows,  chakalaka,
                                                                                     smoorsnoek  and  bokkoms,  followed
                                                                                     by  koeksusters  and  rooibos  tea  –  or
                                                                                     Springbok  shooters,  Amarula  Dom
                                                                                     Pedro,  local  craft  beers  and  possibly
                                                                                     even Mampoer, and you know you’re
                                                                                     in South Africa!


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