Culture comes into fashion

A diverse range of traditional attire and other cultural expressions was evident at Eastern Cape schools and workplaces yesterday as locals celebrated Heritage Day.

At Peter Pan Pre-Primary in Stirling, pupils donned a variety of beads and Springbok rugby shirts, with one pupil wearing a sari.

“If we want  future generations  to be tolerant and respectful of each other’s cultures and customs,  we must first instil a sense of being proud of their own cultures, their own roots.”

She added that the 1600 pupils at her school were Africans from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Grade 9 pupil Chumani Mlenjana, who wore a traditional Zulu outfit, said although she was of Hlubi origin, she wished for  unity among pupils of different races and tribes.

“It’s cool to know your roots and be curious to learn another person’s culture. We learnt about each other’s language and way of life,” she said.

Daily Dispatch staff also joined in the fun, with a traditional meal thrown in to mark the occasion.