Misunderstanding of cultures, religion and languages

ON the issue that is currently at stake about the proposed religious gathering of Shembe church at their church in Birdswood.

One cannot keep quiet but raise a concern on this continuous misunderstanding and intolerance pertaining to cultures, religion and languages.

I have raised this matter with the CLR Commission (Commission for promotion and protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistics communities) to intervene since I feel its my duty as a citizen of this municipality and also part of the council residing in this community.

I have witnessed the exchange of strong feelings and comments when different concern groups are talking past each other instead of talking to each other about this issue. Its a very disturbing matter if a politician can utter words and also conclude that the event should be accommodated in a local stadium or alternative venue because of the reasons he has stated.

I, firstly, think he should take time to understand the history behind the existence of this church in the said area and also check the critical importance of having this particular event in this area, other than the venues he is proposing.

Not ignoring the issue of nature or environmental aspects, one should also note that the same Birdswood suburb was established in a natural forest which I strongly believe also disturbed the environment, but did anyone commented on that?

I am also aware that there were indigenous communities who were forcefully removed from the area and the graves were dug out, which is also a sensitive issue if we had to look back on who is right and who wrong in this dilemma.

I wish all parties could have a platform where everybody can vent their frustrations. People should start embracing each other and as we exist along-side each other, be tolerant of religious and cultural practice for this is indeed what our late former state President Mandela fought for.

He did not fight for each race to be supreme to the other because, right now, this seems to be a racial issue or political issue.

Politicians, religious leaders and traditional leaders should sit together and deliberate on this kind of issue as it shows, right now, we are just pretending we tolerate each other, but we are not.

I hope this issue is resolved soon.

BHEKANI THABEDE

CLR Commision – community councillor

Khula Arts Centre