Honour them while alive, starting in Heritage Month

The 2020 theme from the national department of sport, recreation, arts and culture for Heritage Month is Celebrating

“

South Africa s living human

’ treasures ”.

The department went on to say on their website: The

“question of living human treasures is very relevant since it is acknowledged that most of what still needs to be excavated, coded and stored is available from the many living archives.”

As a nation, this aspect is very important as we tend to acknowledge these treasures only when they pass away. It is only after they die that we rave about them and want to do things to honour them.

Not only is this practice hollow and unacceptable, but downright wasteful. We have so much history left untold and airbrushed out from the conventional history of this country.

Even the history that is told is distorted. How many times in a year do we talk about the contribution of people like Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe and Zeph Mothopeng, who spent an even longer time on Robben Island than Mandela?

We only talk about them on the anniversary of their deaths and a day later they return to the back of our minds.

How many of our living legends do we credit and pay homage to? Do we give them enough space to contribute to the national discourse and heed their opinions or respectfully disagree with them when their ideas do not resonate with ours?

A few days ago, I asked on social media how many of the former boxing stars are living fruitful and productive lives after their boxing days were over?

How many in other sporting codes are living meaningful lives and are contributing positively to their communities?

This reminds me of Happyboy Mgxaji. He was the most popular and successful professional boxer of the 70s and 80s. He would fill up Sisa Dukashe stadium in Mdantsane every time he fought. One of my uncles was a huge fan and he never missed his big fights.

After he retired he eked out a pitiful existence on the periphery of society, but when he died people (including the department of sport) pulled out all the stops and organised a big send-off befitting the hero that he was. It was a pity that all that attention and money was only spent on his funeral and not much was done for him when he was alive.

These and other things should never be allowed to happen again. We need to honour our heroes whether

— in the sporting, musical, theatrical, literary or political spheres —- while they are still alive to enjoy the accolades.

The month of September, as Heritage Month, gives us the perfect opportunity to name streets, buildings, tournaments and awards after our many legends and let them see that their contribution is being recognised and honoured. We haven t done well on this

’ front up to now. Let us do something meaningful to change that as suggested by the department. Celebrating South

“

Africa s living human treasures

’ ” should start now and be our mantra going forward.

Have a wonderful Heritage Month, everyone.