“We’re going to have this wonderful thing on the 24th of this month … when we all gather round one fire…It’s a fantastic thing, a very simple idea. Irrespective of your politics, of your culture, of your race, of your whatever, hierdie ding doen ons saam [this thing we do together] … just South Africans doing one thing together, and recognizing that we are a fantastic nation.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 24 September 2007
On this day, the 24th of September, South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. Deep in the African bush, at Londolozi, we will gather around the camp fires tonight for a traditional South African ‘braai’. We are inviting not only South Africans but guests from all over the world to celebrate the Heritage of this spectacular country, our beloved South Africa.
A ‘braai’, for those not from South Africa, is commonly known as a barbeque. The creation and enjoyment of the ‘braai’ in particular, helps us to showcase the tastes of our South African land and give our guests an appreciation of what makes the flavours, roots and culture of our destination so unique. To experience a ‘braai’ in South Africa is to truly experience the flavour, taste and vibrant diversity of traditional South African cuisine.
To that end, let’s go and ‘put another shrimp on the ba-a-a-arbie’, ‘chuck a chop on the braai’, ‘grill a steak’, no matter how it’s said, enjoy the celebration of this wonderful occasion, I know we will.
The below poem is one that we have shared with our guests at Londolozi today and thought we should share with you too as it rings true in so much that we believe in and feel at Londolozi:
WHY DO I LOVE SOUTH AFRICA?
I love her for the perfection of her days
The crisp Karoo morning
The Joburg winter noon
The late summer Cape Town sunset
The star-filled Free State night
I love her for her people
For our warm smiles
For our resilience
For our I-am-because-we-are
I love her because she delights my senses
Highveld thunderbolts
Jacarandas in bloom
Sunday braais
African sun
Icy sea
I love her raw power, her intensity, her strength
I love her because of how she makes me feel
Sometimes angry, sometimes joyous
Sometimes fearful, sometimes love-filled
Sometimes frustrated, sometimes hopeful
Always alive
I love her because she intrigues me
And challenges me
The Chinese have a curse: “May you live in interesting times”
I see it as a blessing
I love her because she helps me keep things in perspective
By reminding me how privileged I am
Every day
I love her for being a microcosm of the world
A world in one country
For what we can teach the world
About compromise
And sharing
And forgiveness
And tolerance
And hope
I love her because she’s imperfect
And full of opportunity
And potential unfulfilled
I love her because she has come so far
And has so much further to go
And whether we ever get there
Will all depend on us
I love her because she’s been so good to me
And she inspires me to return the favour
I love her because she’s my country
No matter what
I love her because she’s my home
And where my soul is at rest
By Ian Macdonald
Written by Kate Neill
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This is lovely. Thanks for posting…and sorry I missed it!
Great poem!
Lovely thank you! I would love to have been there to feel the African Bush you all love as I do <3
What a way to spend a heritage day !!!!Nothing to beat the atmosphere in the bush especially around a braaivleis !!!!!