Wentworth Heritage Festival Aims to Nurture Proud Coloured Identity

AIMED at celebrating Wentworth’s rich cultural diversity and history this Heritage Month, a four-day arts and heritage festival is set to take place at the Transhaven Centre, situated at 51 Treasure Beach Road, from September 22 to 25, starting at 10:00 each day.

The inaugural festival, which is set to take place under the title, ‘Community Arise, Celebrating the Diverse Heritage of Wentworth and Beyond – A Journey Spanning Six Decades’, will feature film, literature, storytelling, photography exhibitions, ‘coloured’ comedy, poetry, stage music, dance and live performances from some of Wentworth’s top talents and thought leaders.

Oliver Meth, an organising committee member, told Southland Sun the community of Wentworth has a vibrant, diverse and complex heritage and history.

“Since the early 1960s, it has been home to a community of diverse people, previously classified as ‘coloured’, who in their very DNA, draw the diverse identity strands of the province, the country, the African continent and the world together,” he said.

Meth said the event also aims to stimulate interest and participation in heritage, arts and culture-related activities.

“Through the festival, we hope to also overcome negative stereotypes and nurture a proud coloured identity,” he said.