Vulindlela Cultural Group perform at the Heritage Day celebrations at Iziko National Museum of South Africa. Photo: Nondumiso Ntsengentsu
This Heritage Day, young and old people from different cultural backgrounds, different ethnic groups and religions, who speak different languages, showed South Africa is united at the Iziko National Museum of South Africa in Cape Town.
On Friday 24 September, heritage in all its forms was celebrated at the Museum. People from different backgrounds shared their heritage customs and culture through music and dance. Indigenous food was offered so that people could experience the taste of diversity.
Drumming sessions with Bevil Spence showed the spirit of imbumba yamanyama (rainbow nation). Every beat of the drum presented African rhythm.
The audience was entertained by other cultural groups that include, Ikapa Dance from Phillipi and Cross Roads, Vulindlela Cultural Group from Gugulethu and La Rosa Spanish Dance. Vulindlela performed a poem that touched many hearts.
La Rosa Spanish Dance share their Spanish heritage with the audience at the Iziko National Museum of South Africa. Photo: Nondumiso Ntsengentsu
Dancers from Freeflight Dance Company also performed in response to the exhibition of South African artworks made from 1910 to 2010, currently on display at the National Gallery, entitled 1910-2010 From Pierneef To Gugulective.
Museum offered free Planetarium shows, to accommodate both children and adults. The one was on indigenous astronomy, the other on dinosaurs, and a show entitled Tick Tock the Mouse & the Clock was also shown on the hour.
Madiba: The Life and the Times of Nelson Mandela was screened at the TH Barry Lecture Theatre. A tribute was paid to musical legends such as, Brenda Fassie, Robbie Jansen, Miriam Makeba by Music Laboratory.
The event emphasised that we must embrace what we have, be proud of our roots and show humanity.
A diverse group of people came to share their common heritage as South Africans. Photo: Nondumiso Ntsengentsu
