Supermarkets host a vibrant community event to celebrate Heritage Day

A local supermarket brought the community together on Heritage Day, Wednesday, September 24, in a colourful celebration of culture and unity.

The event, one of the year’s highlights, gave locals the chance to honour and preserve their heritage through festivities that showcased the area’s rich traditions. Families and friends gathered in Philippi for the festivities.

The supermarket's marketing manager Malizo Ndengane said he was moved by the turnout, noting the supermarket’s dedication to giving back.

“We are always grateful for the way the community supports us. On this special day, we celebrate with them and make sure they leave with something meaningful. Along with the festivities, we hand out food parcels and other items as our way of saying thank you,” he said, adding that the supermarket sees its role as more than just providing groceries - it’s about strengthening community bonds.

For many locals, the event represents more than a festive occasion. It serves as a critical reminder of the importance of preserving cultural customs and traditions, said Mr Ndengane.

He said inviting government officials was a strategic move intended to inspire and encourage residents to maintain their cultural practices.

The event was attended by National Assembly chairperson of the portfolio committee on tourism, Ronalda Nalumango.

“We invite these officials so that they can speak sense to people, allowing them to interact with their representatives. We are grateful to see such people among us,” he said.

Mr Ndengane said the day showed the supermarket's ongoing dedication to its customers, cultivating a spirit of community while reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage. 

Ms Nalumango urged businesses and stakeholders to collaborate with the government in safeguarding South Africa's rich heritage, especially within marginalised communities.

“We all originate from a past of suffering. It is time to extend a helping hand to one another and work towards a better country,” Ms Nalubango said. 

Addressing the current climate of division that she said had been evident on social media, Ms Nalubango called out the troubling narratives of division among races.

She condemned what she said was an issue of coloureds versus Africans and other negative perceptions that create discord on social media. She shared her personal experience, revealing her own identity as a woman of colour married to a black African man, emphasising the need for cultural understanding among differing communities. 

She emphasised the importance of unity amidst diversity, advocating for more inclusive events that celebrate differences and foster understanding. 

“When we witness misunderstandings between cultures, we need more events like this to bridge the divide. Our cultures may differ, but they are intertwined.” Ms Nalubango said.

She said that diversity should be celebrated rather than contested. Many musical and traditional groups, poets, and storytellers entertained the audience until the end of the event.