Significantly so, this was used as a GeePee LifeStyle drive for 2016/17, targeting Sedibeng as part of also celebrating the Sharpeville Massacre that claimed lives of innocent and unarmed members of the community in the area.
According to Barba Gaoganediwe, head of communications at GTA, they’re using major lifestyle, sporting, cultural, iconic heritage sites, iconic landmarks and innovative infrastructure to promote and market the Gauteng City Region as the home of Origin, Lifestyle, Heritage, Urban City Vibe and Business.
Sedibeng District or Vaal as its popularly known is a water sports and adventure destination, and the home to some of the exquisite township night life offerings but that alone, has not been the significance to the people from that area.
Why, we ask?
Simply because, it is the home of the Sharpeville Monument, the vintage car museum, South Africa’s biggest river, the home of SA Golf champion Charl Swartzel and former President FW de Klerk.
During the tour at the Sharpeville Monument (were hive of activities took place with cleaning and fresh paintings all over) as part of preparing for commemorations, a young Bongani Kubheka gave me a second to share his personal perspective on what 21 March means.
“It means remembering our fallen fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. This is one day I shall never, ever, forget as long as I live,” says “Bongz” (as he preferred to be called) with a tight, black belt on his right bicep and traditional beads on his neck.
Tucked in white vest and black pants, the (18 year old) went on to note that, it’s a disgrace that some of my peers only know who Cassper Nyovest is, but have no idea about this all important day.
“I implore you to go and ask them about this day, only handful will give you an idea of what it means, hence I took History as one of my subjects,” pointed out strongly the Grade 8 pupil at Thuto Lore High, Sharpeville.
Clearly, a tumultuous task awaits the GTA and stakeholders to identify and point out the role Sedibeng District should play in the upliftment of the society when coming to the importance of tourism and heritage, if comments by “Bongz” are anything to go by.
As we wrapped up the two-day adventure, we took advantage of the weather by getting wet at speed boating, swimming and everyone’s popular Lift Jet board at our base Bon Riviera Hotel.
For sundowners our gigantic boat cruise awaited us at Emerald resorts for relaxation and thumping house music courtesy of our host Barba, that were preceded by visits to Sebokeng (chesa nyama) and Nasrec, respectively.
If only the masses of Vaal could own up and enjoy the tapestry in abundance at their own backyard, asseblief.
