Today is Heritage Day in South Africa.  Wikipedia defines it as follows:

Heritage Day, September 24, is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

Here in my apartment in Hong Kong, as things go in Asia, my kids are swamped daily with studies and other school-related issues.  However, as it is Heritage Day, I had them finish their homework early and right now, they are enjoying the David Kramer DVD called SongBook. 

You may remember that David was part of the most dynamic and internationally recognised duo of David Kramer & Taliep Petersen.  Together they produced the much-acclaimed musicals District Six and Ghoema, to name only two. 

On a recent trip home, this DVD became one of my most cherished purchases.  As a committed follower of Cape Town music (especially the unique genres known as Cape Jazz and Ghoema) it is one of a set of treasured items also because it helps me to explain to my kids, who basically grew up in Asia, where their forefathers came from what our culture is all about.

If you know anything about the Kramer/Petersen musicals, you will remember that it talks, through the music, about the people who arrived at the Dutch halfway station (as Cape Town was known back in the days) from as far afield as Malaysia/Java, Madagascar, Batavia, India and yes… even China.  They know about these places because of the songs in the musical.  In this unique way, SongBook is aiding the Missus and I to explain to our 2 little ones our equally unique cultural issues in a clearer and more fun way.  What makes this task all the more easy is the fact that our kids naturally took to this kind of music like ducks to water.  It is, after all… in their genes!  Right now my 9-year old son is spraying furniture polish on the lounge tiles so that he “can jive better!” (his words, not mine)

On this Heritage Day, I can just say thank you to David Kramer and (even after your sad passing) Shukran to Taliep Petersen.  Not only for making my job as an expatriate father so much easier, but also for what you have done to keep the Cape Town and by extension, the South African culture alive. 

Happy Heritage Day.