Make a ‘draai’ by the Y

THE SOL Plaatje Municipality’s “Draai by die Y”, which forms part of the city’s Tourism Month initiative, takes place this Saturday at the Yorkshire Grounds from 10am to 6pm.

Municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, explained yesterday that Tourism Month was celebrated annually in September with the aim of encouraging South Africans to explore their own country, to cultivate and create awareness among societies globally on the significance of tourism, and its social, political, financial and also cultural worth and value.

“It also provides the tourism industry with an opportunity for a sustained, heightened monthlong focus on the importance of domestic tourism to the economy.

Riet pointed out that the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s Tourism sub-unit, under the Local Economic Development unit, hosts a number of heritage programmes in September and October aimed at celebrating local heroes and heroines, as well as the marking of historic events through the arts.

“With the vast cultural population present in Kimberley, the municipality has focused on the celebration of ‘The Kimberley Culture’ by annual breakdown of demographic statistics provided by Stats SA in the Sol Plaatje area. We have now reached the bottom five of cultures present in our region and attention, this year, will be on the Sesotho and Zulu cultures.

The cultures will be featured at Saturday’s “Draai by die Y” showcase at the Yorkshire Grounds from 10am to 6pm.

The event will start off with a dramatised play on the Mayibuye massacre at the Mayibuye Monument before heading to the Yorkshire Grounds with a heritage walk/parade led by the performers, during which points of interest en route will be marked.

“Interested parties may bring along their camp chairs and picnic blankets/umbrellas and enjoy the day’s activities. Entertainment will include Sotho/Zulu cultural dancers and a live band.”

- Patsy Beangstrom