Worcester to host Western Cape's official Heritage Day Programme

One of the key spotlights on Heritage Day in the Western Cape will be falling on Worcester and Robertson.

Although an emphasis will be placed on celebrating local culture and indigenous sport, the main theme for the day is celebrating our national symbols.

The theme is in line with a decision taken by the National Department of Arts and Culture.

To facilitate this, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has designed and issued a poster depicting South Africa's principle symbols: the South African flag, the national Coat of Arms and the national anthem. The poster also depicts the national Order of the Baobab, the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo and the Order of Mapangubwe.

Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, Mr Patrick Mackenzie, says, "Heritage Day offers a wonderful opportunity for South Africans to reflect on what the country has achieved in terms of its history and how successful we have been in building our new nation.

"It also warrants consideration of the importance and meaning of our national symbols. However, we have to ensure that our children and the youth understand and appreciate the significance of these symbols. "

Head of Department, Adv Rod Solomons, says, "I am confident that our Heritage Day programmes will greatly assist in promoting understanding of our national symbols amongst all our communities."

Solomons says the majority of the provincial and provincially-aided museums will also be holding open days on or around Heritage Day."

Minister McKenzie expresses the hope that cultural activities would steer clear of compartmentalizing cultures and cultural groupings.

"It is my hope that Heritage Day 2003 will see communities reach out and break down cultural boundaries and celebrate the cultural diversity of our New South Africa," he says. "The heritage of all our peoples should be equally recognized and preserved but above all, we should celebrate the coming together of our different cultural heritages into one common South African identity."

The Department will host sports days in Vredenburg, Oudtshoorn and Robertson, while Worcester will play host to a demonstration of indigenous games. Minister McKenzie will also hand over sporting equipment to schools in the Robertson area on Heritage Day.

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is confident that the planned Heritage Day activities will also demonstrate the DCAS's vision of the province becoming a cultural hub and sporting mecca for the world.

More information about the national symbols is available on Department of Arts and Culture

Compiled by: Anthea Abraham, Marketing and Communication, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Tel: 021 483 3191

Heritage Day - 24 September 2003 - Programme

Departmental Heritage Day Celebrations at Worcester Museum

Date of Ceremony: Wednesday, 24 September 2003

Timeframe : 08:30-15:00

Venue : Worcester Museum/ Showgrounds

Programme

Activities at Museum yard (Open all day: free of charge)

1. Kookskerm: Lucille from Zwelatemba - Traditional Xhosa "cuisine"

2. Tabakskuur: Demonstrations on the use of topbacco

3. Seepkombuis: The making of traditional and very popular "boereseep" , roasting coffee beans and making candles

4. Boerewoning: "Waterblommetjiebredie", milktart and baking bread

5. Watermeul: Stone milled flour

6. Arbeidershuis: Trout and trotters and "roosterkoek"

7. Smidswinkel: Making candle holders and candelabra for Heritage Day

8. Stook: Making and tasting "Witblits"

9. Perdbeslaan: In partnership with Correctional Services, shoeing horses

10. Donkiekarritte

The restaurant will also be serving traditional foods

Official Programme

Time : 10:15 - 14:00

Venue: Worcester Museum

10:15 - 10:45 Arrival of guests for official celebrations Worcester Fleetband (Christmas hoirs) (Perform at entrance of venue)

10:45 - 11:00 Untouchables: Pantsula Dance (perform on stage)

11:00 - 11:03 MC: Short explanation of the celebrations + theme

11:05 - 11:07 Chairperson of Management Committee introduce Mayor of Worcester - Mr Brown

11:08 - 11:13 Welcome by Mayor of Worcester - Ms Linda Sibeko

11:15 - 11:25 National Anthem: Worcester Community Choir Flag raising ceremony: Scouts (Worcester)

11:27 - 11:28 MC introduce MEC, Mr Patrick McKenzie

11:30 - 11:50 Speech by MEC, Mr Patrick McKenzie

11:50 - 11:53 Vote of thanks by district Municipality Mayor Mr Clarence Johnson

11:55 - 12:10 Worship Dance Group: Gumboot Dance

12:12 - 12:22 Breedevallei Dichters: Gedigte met musiek

12:25 - 12:40 Wes-Kaap Streek Volkspele

12:45 Lunch is being served

Other CulturalL Activities

12:45 - 13:00 Griekwa Kultuurgroep: Rieldans

13:02 - 13:07 Breedevallei Dichters: Gedigte met musiek

13:10 - 13:30 Worcester Community Choir

13:30 - 14:00 Octave Sounds Jazz Band

Sport Activities

12:45-15:00 Indigenous Games/Traditional Sports

• · Tonga - Stick Fighting
• · Dibeke
• · "Skelu" / Nietjies
• · Nduvu (board game)
• · Kgati
• · Rope skipping
• · Diketo (stones)
• · Morabaraba (board game)
• · Jukskei

Summary Of National Symbols

South African Flag

The most visible and marketed national symbol represents the convergence of diverse elements in South African society as depicted by the "V", which extends as a single band.

The National Anthem

Consists of a shortened and combined version of "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika" and "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika". Neither was intended to be national songs. Die Stem was a poem written by CJ Langenhoven in 1918, and Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika a hymn composed in 1897 by mission school teacher, Enoch Sontonga.

The Coat of Arms

The ears of wheat stand for fertility, growth, nourishment and agriculture. The elephant tusks symbolise wisdom and strength. The shield represents spiritual defence. The Khoisan figures within the shield are depicted in an attitude of greeting, which symbolise unity. The spear and knobkierie represent defence but because they are lying down, they also represent peace. The protea signifies the beauty of our land, the secretary bird in flight protects the nation, the rising sun symbolises rebirth, life and light. And the secretary bird rising from the egg-shaped whole implies the rebirth of the nation.

The National Orders

Introduced last year and replacing the previous ones, the national orders are the highest awards that the President bestows. The Order of Mapangubwe is awarded to South Africans for excellence and exceptional achievement. The Order of the Baobab is awarded to South Africans for distinguished service. The Order of the Companions of O. R Tambo is given to foreigners for friendship shown to the country.

Other National Symbols

The Giant or King Protea is the national flower, the Springbok the national animal, the Real Yellowwood is the national tree and the Galjoen is the national fish.