Heritage Day to Me

Indians and Africans in many parts of the world share a history deeper than culture, belief or religion. .We connect,even for the first time .

It is our shared history and hardships that we have faced in the hands of colonisers .Be it as slaves or indentures ...In mainland Africa or where we were transported .

In many places while Africans earned their freedom,more indentured Indians were brought in from India, to work in sugarcane fields where the rulers had colonies ..This was to create a policy of divide and rule and it still exists . Remember we Indians became an independent country only in 1947,but indentureship started since 1857 in British India .

This disparity gave rise to a very distinct community of colors ,and that discrepancy exists and very much in existent in South Africa . And many Caribbean countries.

The lives are still similar .The abuse we continue to face are still similar .

We are now becoming mistrustful of everyone..Indians are coolies ,other African countries all have different names assigned .

What we forget is ,our values remain strongly same I work in disadvantaged communities and never feared going anywhere ,ever. But ask me to go to the richest mile in Sandton ,and I will be fearing for my purse ,my kids or even my little battered car .

The colonials remain successful in dividing us ,when the youngest continent in the world has now the greatest opportunities to be powerful and self reliant. .

Are we going to allow the modern version of imperialism to continue ,or are we going to come together ,removing our bias and contempt that is imposed on us ;

is the question I leave for today .

Happy Heritage Day