The Stellenbosch  e-Bosch Heritage Project in partnership, with Stellenbosch University (SU) and Stellenbosch Municipality, is a step closer to preserving and building the heritage of Stellenbosch for all.

Communities from the 10 dorpies of  Stellenbosch is also uniting while engagement between community members and other partners are improving.

A heritage video created by SU was launched on Wednesday (21 September 2017) at a Heritage function at the University Museum. Themed “…I yearn for", the video portrays members from the local communities talking about their heritage and identify things dear to them.

Anthony Penderis, from e-Bosch, said that this project not only united all the communities but is going from strength to strength. He added that there are a lot of heritage activities organised by the communities and some events are now regular items on the calendar.

“This year we went one step further and most of the dorpies can embark not only an event but extended program on their own," Penderis said.

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Prof Nico Koopman, Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel at S U, was the guest speaker at the function and said: “It is great for the University Stellenbosch to collaborate with various partners like e-Bosch, the municipality and communities. The social impact of the university is important. The universities exist for the broader society in which they are placed and of which they are is part. This is what universities are about."

According to Koopman, South Africa has a reason to celebrate Heritage Day. “We have a rich heritage. We have a heritage of diversity. Diversity of people, culture, ethnicities, language, genders, age groups, world views, sexualities, nationalities, perspectives, knowledge and experiences. Even in nature. We have a rich diversity of plants and vegetation."

Koopman explained further that because people have this diversity, hybridity develops from a life where diverse people live close to one another, commune and live in close proximity. “We also live with porous skin so that we can influence and enrich one another. Osmoses happens because of the impact we have on one another," he said.

Then new identities develop. “People living in context of diversity will say they are a hybrid and osmoses is taking place every day. Yes, I am that, but also more, because of my hybrid living and mingling with others. I am South African, but more. I am a Christian, but due to my hybridity living with Moslem and Hindu brothers, I am also more…," said Koopman.

“With this hybrid living, we feel for each other more, despite our history of division and alienation. It seeks dignity for all. Dignity has the feature of the healing of the wounds and embracing justice. It seeks responsible freedom and equality for all. “

Koopman said that when we celebrate heritage, it is time to pause, look at the past and also to the future. “Think of the type of society we want to leave for our children and grandchildren," he added.

Photo: Attending the Heritage Function are from left, back Prof Nico Koopman, Chimeney van Graan, Dr Leslie van Rooy, Saartjie Botha, Anthony Penderis, Johan Murry and Monica du Toit. In the front are Jennifer Saunders and Leatitia Solomons.