Hundreds of learners “across the wealth divide” came together for a Derby at Christel House SA in Ottery on Heritage Day.
Adri Marais, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Christel House, said five schools across the Cape joined together to learn about heritage and citizenship.
“Today (Saturday 24 September), we are getting five schools together across the wealth divide and we specifically chose Heritage Day because our children come from a wide variety of cultures, languages, music taste and food taste.”
The children who participated were Grade 6 to 8 learners from Christel House SA, Die Duine Primary, Rondebosch Boys’ Prep, Mzamomtsha Primary in Mfuleni and St Cyprians Girls School.
“It’s fantastic to have around 300 of them together here and we are making a potjie. We have 30 fires, 30Tpotjies and 10 people per fire and just sharing.
“Sharing ideas about heritage, about citizenship, how to work together, how to collaborate and just how to be friends.
“This is our third year and we hoping to make this annual and, if all goes well, we will roll it out across the country and one day all schools will get together to do beautiful things on Heritage Day,” said Marais.
Janine Welby-Solomon, project coordinator, said the aim of the school’s derby day and the Simunye project was to bring children together “whose paths would normally not cross”.
“We have around 70 kids from each school and we are giving them a chance to engage, form connections and interact with one another.”
The day consisted of fun activities such as a potjie kos competition, team games and creating a team emblem together.
Welby-Solomon says they chose Heritage Day specifically because kids were from such different backgrounds and cultures.
“They are on such different ends of the wealth spectrum, which means they don’t have a chance to get to know someone outside of their circle.
“Heritage Day is a very important day because we thought the kids could learn about one another and understand one another, to experience the different heritages and cultures and to step out of their comfort zone,” she says.
Gerrard Stellmacher (14), a Grade 8 learner from Christel House, said he enjoyed making potjie with the other learners.
“To me, Heritage Day is about connecting to your roots and about speaking to old people and basically learning where your family came from.”
Noah Musikanth (14), a Grade 8 learner from Rondebosch Boys’ Prep, explained that Heritage Day to him meant good South African culture.
“Heritage is like your history, it’s like the country’s history. Heritage Day is also known as braai day and it’s a good South African culture and to make a potjie and braai today is quite nice.
“We did our dances with the gumboots and that was quite fun and we also did our emblem which was quite interesting, coming up with names.”
The teenager added that he realised some were more fortunate than others.
“I’ve learned that because of the school I go to and my background I can be more fortunate and after looking at the facilities here, I am very grateful for my school’s facilities.”
Describing a typical Heritage Day with his family, Musikanth said he would normally sleep in, wake up “to start the braai fire” and then watch some rugby.
Shaffia Shushaiabu (12), a Grade 7 learner from Die Duine Primary, said he enjoyed participating in the gumboot dance because he was “really good at it”.
“We did the gumboot dance as a school project in the second term which is why I know it very well,” he said, adding that Heritage Day was about different cultures and that “not everyone is the same”.
Lisakhanya Dlomo (13), a Grade 7 learner from Mzamomtsha Primary, told the People’s Post that Heritage Day was about celebrating together as a country.
“Heritage Day means, I think, that you celebrate, I won’t say your colour, but how you are. It’s not about whether you are black or white but celebrating us as South Africans and we are in this country living together.”
Calys Bloom (12), who is in Grade 7 at St Cyprians Girls School, said she enjoyed getting to meet the other learners.
“My favourite thing was doing the potjie and the dance because everyone just joined together and came together as one.
“Heritage Day means, like everyone is different but in a good way and it’s okay to be who you are. Just be amazing, being you.”
