They called me the little bastard

Can we call a place home if we are not from there? Can we look different to our neighbour and still belong? Can we believe different things and still find common ground?  

We may assume that our way of approaching these big life moments of births, deaths and marriages is ‘right’, but it’s actually a reflection of our cultural values, and other people may have different views and expectations in those moments.

Maize is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of us eat it in the form of maize meal – but how that maize meal is prepared is very different around the country and continent! This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our traditions – food and otherwise. 

No matter where the river of your life’s journey has taken you, your language is something that you carry with you. It gives you a sense of identity, connectedness and belonging. This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our language. 

"Empathy is feeling someone’s struggles, even when they’re not yours," reflects Pule, 26. For many young people today, empathy is more than just a buzzword – it is a way of connecting, understanding, and building relationships in an increasingly complex world.

South Africa has a complex past, so a day like Heritage Day can be met with mixed emotions. But what if we were open to exploring the aspects of our own heritage, as well as the heritage of those around us, to understand ourselves and each other better?