By Louise | Managing Director
Yesterday was a day I will never, ever forget!
There were over 300 of us gathered together for Heritage Day, and when I looked around, it felt like standing inside a giant, swirling rainbow. Everywhere you turned, there were bright pinks, ocean blues, fiery oranges, vivid greens, and dazzling beads. Everyone was dressed in their traditional attire, spinning around so their skirts flared out and their bangles jingled in time with the breeze. Some groups had walked all the way from villages 10 kilometers away—one way! Their feet were dusty, but their faces were shining with giant smiles, singing as they walked right through the gates.
Before we could even see the tables, the air smelled so good my stomach started rumbling! The scent of hot steam bread floating over the fires mixed with the rich, savory aroma of tripe and simmering chicken's feet. We filled our plates high with soft yellow pumpkin, warm samp, delicious tihove, and hearty tinhwembe. For the brave ones, there were crunchy, salty mopani worms, and we ate sweet, nutty xigume that coated our fingers. Eating together out in the fresh air made every single bite taste like home.
When the music started, the whole ground seemed to shake! The drums beat so loud you could feel them vibrating right inside your chest. We had dance competitions where dust flew into the air as everyone showed off their best steps, cheering until our voices went scratchy. Friends stood up to recite powerful poems about where we come from, and hearing their words made me feel so proud of who I am.
The best part of all was listening to the elders talk to us about fellowship and belonging. They reminded us that no matter where we come from, we are one big family. They taught us how important it is to always look out for one another—especially to stand close to the younger ones, keep them safe, and hold their hands. We learned all about our children’s rights, like the right to be loved, protected, and educated, but also about our responsibilities. We learned that to truly enjoy our rights, we have to treat our parents, teachers, and each other with deep respect and kindness every single day.
We also learned about you, our wonderful GlobalGiving sponsors who helped make this entire celebration happen. It felt so special knowing that kind-hearted people from all across the world cared enough about us to share their generous donations so we could have a giant feast, music, and a safe place to celebrate our culture. Without your love and support, none of this amazing day would have been possible!
My feet were tired from dancing, and my belly was full, but my heart felt bigger than the whole sky. Being part of those 300plus kids made me realize just how special, strong, and blessed we all are.
Thabo (15yrs)
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