My people are ridiculed for their complexion‚ says Hulisani on celebrating her culture
TV personality Hulisani Ravele has some strong points about the importance of celebrating her culture.
In a lengthy social media post the TV star detailed how people of her cultural background were often “ridiculed” so it was important for her to celebrate it.
“Celebrating and showing off my culture is not something I take lightly. It’s close to my heart because I know that my language and culture is often perceived as that of a minority group and my people are sometimes ridiculed for their complexion or how our language sounds‚” she said.
Hulisani added that she’s noticed that by expressing herself other young people were motivated to do the same.
“Young man‚ young lady‚ no matter what your language or culture‚ if you’ve ever felt too scared or embarrassed by who you are and where you come from‚ too embarrassed to speak your language‚ too shy to wear your munwenda or xibelani‚ please don’t be‚” she added.
Our Constitution strives to promote unity in our diversity. The Bill of Rights specifically states that: "Everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice..." What a beautiful thing that is. I am often praised for being proud of who I am and where I come from, being proud of my language and my culture. Sometimes it feels weird because to me I don't know how to be anything else but proud of my heritage. Celebrating and showing off my culture is not something I take lightly. It's close to my heart because I know that my language and culture is often perceived as that of a minority group and my people are sometimes ridiculed for their complexion or how our language sounds. It's for reasons such as this that it is important for me to don my munwenda na musisi and to speak TshiVenḓa when I'm on TV because I've seen that by being free to express myself and to shine sa musidzana wa MuVenḓa, it gives permission to another young boy or girl o no bva Venḓa to be proud of who they are and to know that they too can shine. I have the right to do this, my Constitution says so. Young man, young lady, no matter what your language or culture, if you've ever felt too scared or embarrassed by who you are and where you come from, too embarrassed to speak your language, too shy to wear your munwenda or xibelani, please don't be. Celebrate it! It's a beautiful thing. #InspiredByMyConstitution #BrandSA