4 TYGERBURGER Brackenfell
NUUS
Woensdag, 14 Maart 2018
Breaking down cultural divisions DESIRÉE RORKE @dezzierorke
A
circle of women of different races from across Cape Town met in Brackenfell on Friday with one mission in mind – to break down racial and cultural barriers at a time when many others are fuelling division. It is no coincidence that this gathering took place a day after International Women’s Day, and due to its overwhelming success will take place again later this year. “Women are powerful and if they put their minds to it are able to bring about powerful change. But we have to open our minds and talk to one another,” says Lungiswa James, DA member of parliament and co-host of the event, along with three other local politicians. The concept came about when ward councillors Andrea Crous (Tyger Valley), Marian Nieuwoudt (Brackenfell, Kuils River), Xoliswa Pakela-Mapasa (Kraaifontein PR) and James met for coffee. “As we got to know one another better, we as women were very curious about one another’s cultures and openly started asking questions, which may be frowned upon in everyday SA. “However, instead of taking offence to one another, a very interesting and constructive conversation followed and we realised the value of talking openly about those traditions we don’t understand and often wonder about,” explains Crous. “As leaders we wanted to bring this opportunity to our communities in order to guide them in the process of cultural cohesion. Here you can ask your fellow South African, black, coloured or white, those things you have always wanted to know about their lives, their traditions and why they do the things they do.” Nieuwoudt says that as citizens of South
Nobubele Mbakaza from Phillipi explained that most Xhosa women can carry things on their heads, as the head and neck are much stronger than the arms and don’t tire as quickly. “As children we had to walk very far to carry wood and water, which we had to go fetch every day,” she said.
Africa, we should feel free to talk to one another openly about those things we don’t understand, and share our feelings without fear of being labelled a racist. “How else will be understand one another? We must act out the change we would like to see in our country and can only do that with meaningful dialogue.” To break the ice, James shared her own account upon meeting Crous for the first time. “My first thought of her was ... o jinne, ‘die boervrou’ is too much! But after getting to know her I learned what a wonderful person she is to be around. She is certainly not shy to ask questions or to say what she feels.” Crous in her turn shared a childhood memory of her first encounter with a black person. “I ran away and hid under the bed for hours. I was petrified! In our farming district lived only coloured and white people and when a black person visited the area for the first time I had no idea black people even existed,” she said A barrage of questions followed this introduction. Why are black people so loud and always have to sing at the most ‘inopportune’ moments? “Because we are singers. We sing when we are happy, we sing when we are sad, and it doesn’t take much to make us break out in song and dance. Any opportunity is a good one. That’s what we do and have been doing since we were children,” the answer came. Why don’t white women cook outside and why don’t they know how to make a fire? “I’ve never really tried. We don’t have to because the men usually make the fires when we do cook outside. Otherwise it is not necessary.” As the day progressed the women discussed more sensitive issues such as marriage proposals, the identity of the woman after marriage, marriage traditions such a labola and maskawie (Muslim dowry), as well as how they felt about mixed marriages. Elizabeth* from Kraaifontein said she married when she was only 17 and had six children. “There was no time for fancy proposals and the rest. Things were tough and we just had to get on with it. I took my husband’s surname, but was not obliged to do so. I chose to. After nearly 50 years we are still together, but things have changed. Marriages these days don’t last,” she said. James reminded the women that they all have one thing in common, despite their differences. “We are sisters, we are women, and we celebrate our womanhood. We are the problem solvers and the pillars of our families and communities. We keep everything together. We come from different backgrounds and areas but we are united by our love of freedom to be the best that we are and to be recognised as special. We care for one another; we care for our friends, for our country and its freedom.” *identity protected V What is your opinion on this article? Let us know at briewe@tygerburger.co.za.
Ward councillors Andrea Crous, Xoliswa Pakela-Mapasa, Marian Nieuwoudt and member of parliament Lungiswa James. PHOTOS: DESIRÉEE RORKE
Cynthia* from Phillipi said when your baby is tied on your back, it hardly ever cries, and this leaves your hands free to do other things like washing and housework.
Loin Chops (fresh and frozen)
Elna Engelbrecht from Hoheizen took the opportunity to showcase the crochet work from her crochet project in Blikkiesdorp.