Gatesville Seniors Club celebrates cultural heritage at Gatesville Library
From left, are Nomakhosazana Mgweba, Yumna Levy and Samra Fisher in their traditional attire.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Different cuisines were displayed during the Heritage Day celebration in Rylands.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Gatesville seniors had a great time at the Heritage Day event at Rylands Library.
Image: Phiri Cawe
National Heritage Day is celebrated on September 24, but the Gatesville Seniors Club got a head start on the festivities.
On Wednesday, September 10, seniors gathered at Rylands Library to celebrate the richness of different cultures and cuisines.
Fowzia Veerasamy, chairperson of the club, explained that the event encouraged seniors to embrace their own heritage while also appreciating the diversity of traditions and beliefs that shape the nation.
“We want the seniors to experience other cultures, not only their own. They should learn more about others. We are here to educate and enjoy these diverse cultures,” she said.
Veerasamy added that heritage should unite rather than divide. To her, it is about celebrating diversity, learning from the past, and building a better future for the next generation. She urged seniors to pass on not just their own traditions, but also the knowledge and appreciation of other cultures and nationalities to their children.
“We have learned a lot from this library. The librarians helped us find books that guide us towards understanding different and diverse cultures. We are thankful to them,” she said.
The seniors meet at the library every Wednesday, and she invited anyone interested to join the club.
The celebration showcased a variety of nationalities, including Cape Malay, British, Italian, Tamil, Telugu, and Xhosa. Each group shared its history, cuisine, and traditional songs and dances.
Senior librarian Jurena Moose of Rylands Library said she was delighted to host the seniors every Wednesday, calling it a proudly South African tradition. She explained that the gatherings aim to encourage learning while keeping the seniors active and engaged.
“They should not get bored at home. We host them and invite different organisations to speak to them. They continue to read books and are even members of the book club. We also teach them various skills, including computer literacy. Knowing how to open their phones and read messages is a significant achievement for them,” she said.
Ms Moose said she was proud of the wealth of knowledge the seniors hold, as well as their awareness of living in a diverse country full of opportunities.
Food, she added, is an essential part of heritage, and the celebration would not have been complete without traditional African home-cooked dishes. The event ended on a festive note, with seniors enjoying a spread of cuisines while singing, dancing, and celebrating to traditional music.