Heritage Day celebrations in Nelson Mandela Bay schools are typically symbolised by attire and staple foods that represent SA’s cultural diversity but Stedin College is taking it a step further, celebrating indigenous games that formed an integral part of many childhoods.
For one day, the school will do away with digital mobile games, coding and YouTube, and take things all the way back to the days of hopscotch, umshinxi, red robot, upuca (klip klippie), udwadla (a kind of tag) and block tot (a sort of piggy in the middle).
All these will be enjoyed by parents and children alike at the school’s family fun day on Saturday, with the proceeds from the day being donated to Early Childhood Development in Walmer Township.
Stedin College spokesperson Mandisa Magwaxaza said the school had organised indigenous games suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Over the years, Heritage Day has become synonymous with a good braai and Stedin College in Victoria Drive will also incorporate that tradition into the family fun day’s festivities.
“Incredibly, we’ve come to learn that many of these indigenous games we grew up playing, thinking they were unique to certain cultures, are actually the same across different South African cultures.
“These games are played throughout SA but they obviously have different names,” Magwaxaza said.
Due to changing times, Magwaxaza said, the younger generation of children — born into a more evolved and tech-savvy world — had little knowledge of indigenous games.
“You know, back in the day, many of us grew up without toys, so we had to make do with what we had.
“We’d use plastic to make balls so we could play soccer or dushe,” she said.
“We’d use wool or rope to make skipping ropes.
“I love that there’s a recycling aspect and fitness benefits to these games.”
While technology and mobile phone games had their own educational benefits, Magwaxaza said she believed youngsters could also learn from the older, more cost-effective games.
“Heritage Day at Stedin is a day to celebrate family and reconnect offline while learning activities to introduce into family time.
“You may not recognise the names of the games, but keep an eye on the demo videos on Stedin Schools’ Facebook and Instagram pages to jog your memory,” she said.
Actress, producer and Algoa FM presenter Lee Duru will be the day’s host.
“As a busy working mom, Lee takes her social media audience on a journey as she learns to care for her health and family while balancing a demanding career,” Magwaxaza said.
“She advocates for quality family time, nutrition and body positivity; values that Stedin College strives to instil in our pupils.”
The family fun day is open to all families across Nelson Mandela Bay and will start at 10am and run until 1pm.
Fires will be set up and families who wish to braai are advised to bring their own braaiing utensils, braai packs, camping chairs or blankets, spices and sides.
There will be a jumping castle and face painting for children.
Snacks will be on sale at the tuck shop and no alcohol is allowed on the premises.
All guests are advised to bring cash as there are no card facilities available.
HeraldLIVE
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