South Africans celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September annually. When I first arrived here in 2008, I was told that this day is "Braai Day" when the coals are lit and friends come over for a braai (barbeque). After Kira and Erin started going to school, we learn more about each public holiday instead of the days when we just saw them as days free from work!
Heritage Day recognises and
celebrates the cultural wealth of South Africa. The country has 11 official
languages with isiZulu being the most spoken language (23% of the population). Other official
languages are isiXhosa (spoken by 16%), Afrikaans (13.5%), English (10%),
Sesotho sa Leboa (9%), Setswana and Sesotho (both 8%), Xitsonga (4.5%), siSwati
and Tshivenda (both 2.5%), and isiNdebele (2%).
https://southafrica-info.com/arts-culture/11-languages-south-africa/
Here in our home, we speak mainly English and some Mandarin. The girls learn isiXhosa and Afrikaans at school. George speaks Afrikaans and I’m still learning isiXhosa. Duolingo dings every day in our home and I spend considerable effort to inject Mandarin into our lives. Who knew that a flurry of activities happened this month, very aptly.
On Wednesday 11
September, the Cape Town Chinese School came to Kronendal school to share their
culture and Traditional Taiwan folk games (diabolo yo-yo, origami paper
folding, Chinese calligraphy and others). The 200 learners and learn a few Mandarin words (谢谢，你好，再见) last Wednesday when the Cape Town Chinese School came
to visit. The 50 Thank You 谢谢cards written
by the learners of Grade 4 (which Erin is also part of) brought tears to my
eyes. We don’t fully understand the impact we have and what children remember
from our presentations but this came clear from what was shared in the cards.
https://ocacnews.net/article/378993
Then on Sunday 15 September, 2 masterful Taiwanese chefs
Mr. Ko-Chin Chang and Mr. Kai-Yuan brought the International Tour of Taiwan
Gourmet Cuisine to Cape Town. The event was held at Home Bao, a restaurant and
store (where I often get frozen dumplings delivered) by Tina Long. I was
invited to be the emcee and got to interact with the chefs, the crowd of food
lovers, dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts. My family and our friends the
Robinsons also attended and it’s true how food brings people together. Besides
learning some cooking techniques, the key message from the chefs is that we can
also easily cook the 4 dishes at home with local ingredients. Oh, I got to
taste Kavalan whiskey from Taiwan and best of all, the girls said that overall,
they enjoyed the event.
https://capecreativecollective.co.za/culinary/taiwanese-gourmet-at-home-bao/
https://ocacnews.net/article/379294
Tuesday 17 September was Mid-Autumn Festival and we had a delicious dinner at home with George cooking slow-roasted 烧肉, successful ultra crispy pork crackling to rival any fancy restaurant. 中秋节, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival is a harvest festival (second to Lunar New Year) celebrated in Chinese culture. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night. A reunion meal with loved ones, time spent together drinking Chinese tea and eating mooncakes as we admire the moon at its brightest and fullest. In our case, the girls went to sleep before we could see the moon peek over our home. In fact, it was cloudy but we know the bright jolly moon is there, looking out for us all as she reflects the light from the sun.
On Thursday 19 September, as part of a class activity where everyone needed to present their heritage, Erin presented to her classmates about Singapore. She prepped her speech with George and planned it all herself. She brought 3 outfits to show traditional dresses, fridge magnet with the Merlion and Sentosa, books about Singapore and wang wang rice crackers for everyone. I’m so grateful to see her so motivated and proud of her culture (we left Singapore when she was 6 months young but have done multiple trips back to visit).
Happy Heritage Month!