By Luvuyo Mjekula and Lindokuhle Fuba
“If anything typifies heritage, it’s Amazwi.”
So said retired Albany Museum historian and curator Fleur Way-Jones at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature Heritage Carnival on Tuesday.
Grocott’s Mail caught up with Way-Jones as she was leaving the carnival. Asked what she thought of the event, she said: “If anything typifies heritage, it’s Amazwi. Because everybody will be here, and everyone is here. Except there is no braai,” she laughed.
She said she had visited the carnival to show support to Amazwi, but to also meet the museum’s new director whom she said she knew from years ago. She enjoyed tea and scones. “I’ve done my British bit,” she joked.
Amazwi hosted the carnival to celebrate Heritage Day and invited local traders to display and sell their handmade products. Visitors said the carnival was a way of bringing people together to celebrate their culture and heritage.
There was a hive of activity at the Worcester Street-located museum from 9am. Stalls with colourful handmade items including crafts, creative designs, health and beauty products, clothing, food, games and eye-catching performances could be found inside and outside of the venue. There were a number of interested visitors who interacted and took turns to view the myriad products on offer.
Organisations such as the SPCA and restaurant Red Cafe, were there to show their support. The SPCA was on hand to provide tea, coffee and treats, while the Red Cafe offered food.
Michelle Bradley and Margie Grant said they were at the event on behalf of the SPCA and they sold tea, coffee and scones to raise funds for the animal welfare organisation. To them, the carnival’s purpose was to “bring people together and celebrate our culture and heritage”. They would be happy to participate in another such event in the future.
The Isikhumbuzo Applied History Unit and the Helenvale and Salt Lake Poets from Gqeberha performed at the event. There was also an open mic session and chess games were played. Admission to the museum and events was free.
Grocott’s Mail reporters spoke to a number of enthusiastic stallholders.
Karen Diedericks and her daughter Melissa sold their ‘Blerrie Lekka’ Chilli Crunch which Karen described as “delicious on anything”. She explained the crunch has three flavours – chilli crunch, with medium heat; onion crunch, which is mild and flavourful; and chilli onion marmalade which is spicy sweet and tangy.
The duo enticed visitors to taste the snack before committing to buying it. Karen said she has an ongoing relationship with Amazwi, assisting the museum with its booklets every year.
Meanwhile, Tulisa Mondliwa, a Rhodes University employee who hails from Centane in the old Transkei, sold health and beauty products at her stall at the carnival.
The Geography and Chemistry graduate said some of the products were from the business she named after her daughter, Nikilitha. Mondliwa also had visitors to the carnival engrossed to Buyelembo board-and-dice game she designed to promote and enhance the process of learning isiXhosa.
Grocott’s spoke to a number of other stall holders including Carol Leff who produces sunprints and other products as well as Brenda Stofu of Enhanced Aloes, which sells Aloe ferox products and upcycled and beaded jewellery.
