Weekly update 23-27 September 2024

Fatima Bhabha

22 Sep 2024 — 5 min read

Weekly update

On Friday, we had the privilege of celebrating Heritage Day together as a department, from deep frying in the tea room to running to Ortho department and abusing their ‘two’ microwaves, it was such a feast and great experience. It was truly heartwarming to see everyone turn out in their beautiful traditional clothing. The food that was shared with us was amazing, and we thank everyone for their generosity and spirit.

How lucky we are to be South African, with such a rich blend of cultures to celebrate! We look forward to more moments like these in the future.

Monday

Over the weekend, we witnessed something extraordinary—snow in September! While it's unusual to see snow in spring, it wasn't all fun and games. Hundreds of South Africans found themselves stranded in their cars overnight in KwaZulu-Natal, with limited food and water. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, and we hope for their safety in such extreme conditions.

Also great to see South African UBUNTU. Local farmers and local residents hit the open road besides those trapped and started clearing the snow with their big machinery and the residents handed out snacks and tea to hundreds of cars.

Tuesday

Happy heritage day !! What does heritage day mean to you ??

South Africa’s Heritage Day is a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and identities that make up this vibrant nation. It’s a day where we celebrate our roots, honor our ancestors, and look towards the future with hope and unity🇿🇦

For me, as a South African Indian, this day holds particular significance. When people ask me about my heritage, I never hesitate to include “South African” because being a South African Indian is a unique experience—one that cannot be fully understood by simply focusing on our ethnic background 🪷

I am a fourth-generation South African, and though my roots trace back to India, I don’t feel deeply connected to the country itself. My ancestors, Gujaratis from mid-India, left long ago, and I have no relatives left in the homeland. I visited India once, and the village where my great-great-great-grandfather lived was sad and desolate. His once-bustling home now stands empty, its broken wooden door creaking in the wind, and an old, eerie swing swaying outside. It was a sobering reminder of how time moves on, and how far my family has journeyed across the world—to South Africa, England, Canada, and Réunion.

Here in South Africa, my heritage has taken on its own flavor—quite literally. Our food is a beautiful blend of South African and Indian influences. Growing up, we ate pap with chicken curry, tin fish with rice, and a family favorite—milktart-flavored sojee and braai masala chops !! 🔥

On my dad’s side, the story takes a different turn. He’s from a farm in Lichtenburg, in the North West, where his family is more fluent in Afrikaans and Tswana than English. Whenever we visited my uncle on the farm, we were always known as the "English cousins from Joburg," adding another layer to our South African identity. It’s funny how, despite being Indian, I don’t have any immediate family in Durban, where people assume all Indians in South Africa are from.

But there’s another piece of my story—my maternal grandmother, a German woman who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust and sought refuge here in South Africa. She was Jewish but spoke fluent Gujarati. Her life, like so many South African stories, was one of resilience, survival, and adaptation, seamlessly blending cultures and histories in the most unexpected ways.

One thing that weighs on me is the thought that my native language, Gujarati, might die with my parents. They speak it fluently, but I can barely understand it and can’t speak a word. I wish I had done more to preserve that part of my heritage, to keep the language alive in my family. It’s a bittersweet reminder that while we honor our ancestors and celebrate our past, some pieces of our heritage slip away with time.

I was born and raised in Benoni, far from the bustling streets of Durban or the villages of India. And yet, being a South African Indian means embracing all the different strands of my identity. It’s about carrying the stories of my ancestors with me while living in the present and working towards a future that honors all parts of who I am—South African always, but with deep roots that stretch far beyond.

Wednesday

Welcome to fake Monday! We hope everyone has recovered from their braai and quality time with family over the long weekend. Let’s make today productive and ease back into the week.

Thursday

Just a reminder: If you haven't already, please contact IT to get your username and password for the new X-ray system. You can reach them at extension 1030 or 1157. Also, remember that all X-rays taken from Friday the 8th onward will be available on the new PACS system, while older scans can still be accessed on Xero Viewer.

Friday
Academics: