What is a coloured house without the familiar glass display cabinet?
Nothing, according to actor Christian Bennett, who this week spoke to the Daily Voice about what Heritage Day means to him.
Noem My Skollie star took us to his mom’s house in Extension 13 in Belhar. Video: ANA
For this, the Noem My Skollie star took us to his mom’s house in Extension 13 in Belhar, where he grew up as the youngest of five siblings.
Auntie Rose says although her son is a big shot actor these days, he makes time to visit his parents and his four brothers at home.
“Die huis is die definition van my heritage,” says the 35-year-old hunk.
He points to a wall in the lounge, which is covered with family pictures and... laminated funeral pamphlets.
“My mom’s house always looked like this and this wall is the masterpiece of memories,” laughs Christian.
“You can call it a wall of remembrance, because all these pictures will force you to remember your roots, your culture.”
In a huge frame is a picture of Christian’s brother and his wife on their wedding day.
“In our family, it’s important to frame the wedding picture where the couple stands by the car or the big bell in Claremont Gardens,” he adds.
His photo will be added one of these days. Christian, who has a one-year-old daughter, Phoenix, is engaged.
His daughter plays baby Stella on the soapie, Suidooster.
In the lounge is the wall unit, the “centre piece” of the house, according to Christian, filled with framed photos and brass and ceramic ornaments of cats, dogs and ducks.
There’s even an empty gare-tolletjie with red ribbon twisted around it. You know mos, the kind people put on the table at 21st parties.
“This glass cabinet can’t be touched by anyone,” says the actor.
“When I walk into any house that has a doily and an ashtray on the table, it feels like home.”
Asked about the role food plays in his heritage and traditions, Christian gets excited.
“Sunday lunch is big in our home, there must always be chicken, rice, potatoes and a blikkie sweet corn or beans.”
Aunty Rose chimes in, “ en hier doen ons nie geel rys nie”.
“I’ll make yellow rice for Christmas, but rice is white and it should stay that way,” she argues.
Christian plans to spend Heritage Day on Monday in the company of friends and family with a lekker tjoppie op die kole.
“I love traditional foods, but on Heritage day, we braai.
“It’s important to pass our culture on to our children so they can keep it running forever,” he says.