Communities unite across the ‘border’
Jeff Radebe joins walk from KwaMashu to Phoenix
MINISTER in the Presidency Jeffrey Radebe joined about 600 people who walked across “the divide” between KwaMashu and Phoenix.
The minister joined the walk as part of the inaugural “We are one festival” aimed at bringing different ethnic communities together, and encouraging them to share their differences and create long-lasting friendships. People from Newlands were also invited.
The 8km walk left at 8am from KwaMashu Bridge City shopping centre to Presberry sports grounds in Phoenix.
Radebe, who was born in KwaMashu, was joined by his daughter, Malaika, and wife Bridgette.
He welcomed the participants and encouraged the youth to play their part in bringing communities together, through activities that could be enjoyed by anyone in the family.
“This initiative will ensure that there is social cohesion between different racial groups.
“As you can see we are starting at Bridge City which was first conceptualised to link people from KwaMashu, Phoenix, Ntuzuma and Newlands so that we are one.
“The democracy we obtained in 1994 can never be complete until we are a truly non-racial society. I’m happy to be associated with this,” said Radebe.
Businessman Vivian Reddy said: “These communities are divided by one road and yet they are oceans apart. So we decided to donate R1 million, especially for the funfai r which will run for the next four days for the first time in KwaMashu.
“He encouraged other business people all over the country to reach out in some small way to bring people together.
“We need a lot of these initiatives that can help to bring people together because perception looms larger than reality. Each community has different perceptions of each other, some of them are wrong. We believe that when people talk to each other it helps.”
Sarah Mona, 50, and Sushie Chetty 59, said it was the first time they had gone into KwaMashu. “I feel good to be a part of this. I always wanted to be here but I was afraid because of the perception I had about this area. The people are nice and friendly and I have no doubt that I will shop at Bridge City,” said Mona.
Thabani Kubheka, 33, from KwaMashu, walked with his new friend, Ravi Naidoo, who he met at the event. He said he had been to Phoenix once before but he was looking forward to playing soccer there. “I would like to encourage other people to participate in such activities, it is nice. I have made an Indian friend already and he wants me to join his soccer team,” said Kubheka.
Netball, soccer and aerobics continued at the grounds after the walk ended.
KwaMashu was alive with the sounds of the funfair. Parents with their excited children queued to go on the rides.
Musawenkosi Gumbi, 34, said, “I am so happy we have the rides here. When I took my children to the rides at Funworld in the CBD, they were afraid because they had never been on it or seen it before. Now the merry-go-round is here, they are more comfortable and they are excited.” He was with his daughters Olwethu, 8 and Nokwanda, 4.
The festival ends today with a concert at Bridge City.