Pretoria – The City of Tshwane was transformed into a rainbow city for the spectacular Gauteng Social Cohesion Carnival on Saturday.
Donned in a rainbow of tradition attire, South Africans young and old braved the scorching heat to celebrate Heritage Day by participating in the Gauteng Carnival which took place at the Tshwane Events Centre.
The event, a partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government and Dali Tambo’s Carnival Company, saw people flocking to the carnival that was free to the public.
Prince Mkhize and his friend Jimmy Mahlambi, who travelled from Phumula, in Vosloorus, were donned in their traditional Zulu attire to partake in the carnival, of which the highlight was the street parade through Pretoria.
Floats, giant puppets and people on stilts, as well as others dressed in their Pedi, Zulu, Xitsonga, Chinese and Indian traditional outfits, among others, descended on the city streets in a ray of various colours as part of the carnival.
In song and dance, people and floats depicting the face of former President Nelson Mandela, a calabash, a fish and one of the big five animals - the buffalo, among others, made their way from outside the events centre to WF Nkomo Street towards the Pretoria CBD.
“I’m here today to celebrate Heritage Day and to enjoy the day with my friends. Heritage Day is important so that we can know more about our cultures,” said 15-year-old Phumzile Maluleke.
Over 26 000 participants joined in the colourful parade consisting of multitude of Africans cultures, Greeks, Italians, Chinese, Indians and all South African cultures.
An eclectic mix of music and dance under the theme, “Human Treasures and Legends: Our Living Heritage,” with representation from other African nations such as Zambia, Kenya, Gabon, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Mozambique, Egypt, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire were showcased at the carnival.
Floral floats designed by the Gabonese community and Montoya Dancers from the Spanish community took to the streets. Spectators were entertained by bagpipes and Samba dancers.
Kuben Mari and his family were among the hundreds of people who attended the carnival.
“We live in a diverse society, we are multi-cultural and multi-racial. It’s good to see everybody getting together and showing everybody out there in the world and in our country that we can celebrate as one.
“It’s about supporting everybody else and supporting our own culture and our own multi-racial groups. It’s all about being one at the end of the day,” said Mari.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga were among those who took part in the parade.
“South Africa is truly a rainbow nation and this is the freedom and the diversity that Tata [Mandela] together with Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Steve Biko to name a few fought for,” said the provincial MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko.
Several other carnivals celebrating Heritage Day were held across the country including one in Seshego, Limpopo. – SAnews.gov.za
