As South Africa gears up to celebrate Heritage Day, Jacaranda FM’s beloved breakfast show host, Martin Bester, takes a moment to reflect on his own heritage and what it means to him. This Heritage Day, Martin is opening up about the cultural influences that have shaped his life—from family traditions to the rich diversity that makes South Africa unique.

Why do you think it’s so important to celebrate our heritage as South Africans?

“I think it’s a great thing to celebrate our heritage because as South Africans, we understand how different we are in terms of heritage and background, but also just how alike we are. To celebrate the differences and unity at the same time makes us so unique as a nation.”

What makes you the proudest to be South African?

“The thing that makes me the proudest to be South African is that we really come together as a nation. You just have to log onto social media, and when someone attacks a South African, we all rally up and defend our country.”

What cuisine reminds you the most of your heritage?

“The cuisine that reminds me most about my heritage is the food that my mom and grannies used to cook. Kook kos. We used to eat rys vleis, pampoen, aartapples—they were all a big thing in our home. Obviously, the braais—my dad would braai for us whenever he had the chance. On Sundays or whenever the family would come together, it was always a lot of food with all of the above. Other things that stand out are my mom’s potato salad and my granny’s bean soup in the winter. Growing up Afrikaans, you had to eat the food prepared for you—no wasting! Luckily, my mom and granny cooked very well!”

Are there any phrases or expressions unique to your heritage that you particularly cherish?

“I remember the oddest phrases from my childhood, like ‘Husse met lang ore’—that one essentially means ‘curiosity killed the cat’ in Afrikaans!”

What was your favourite story or memory from your childhood that relates to your heritage?

“We spent as much time camping as my parents could fit in. Sometimes we would even camp close to home so my mom could still go to work and back. My parents loved caravaning, and we saw a lot more of our country that way. With the camping came braaing, music, and meeting new people from other parts of the country. Afrikaans people love being sociable and the outdoors. I still cherish that today. I think I spend more time in my garden than inside my house.”

Martin Bester's reflections offer a heartfelt glimpse into how his Afrikaans heritage has influenced his life and values. As South Africans, we share a powerful connection through our diversity and unity, and this Heritage Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate both.

Tune in to Breakfast with Martin Bester every weekday on Jacaranda FM between 06:00 and 09:00.

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