Upholding the Christian values and traditions his late mother instilled in him is one of the ways in which Robin Pieters is keeping his heritage alive.
The local singing star is also a big fan of actual photo albums you can page through as opposed to clicking through digital galleries, he says.
HAVE YOU SEEN MY CHILDHOOD?: Robin treasures photo collection. Photo: Jack Lestrade
Robin, 28, from Southfield, was a finalist in the first season of The Voice SA and
currently lives on his own in a flat.
CLAIM TO FAME: The Voice SA. Photo: Screengrab
He has a bag with over 100 printed pictures of his family.
“People don’t do print albums anymore since social media holds all the memories, but I prefer the texture and scent of this pictures, it reminds me of home,” says Robin.
He lost his mom to cancer when he was 17 and says he keeps her memory alive by practising all she taught him.
LIFE LESSONS: Robin with his mother Sharon who died of cancer. Photo: Supplied
This means going all out for religious holidays and birthdays.
“I don’t have much family around these days but I’ve gained a lot of ‘family’ through my friends,” he says.
“My mom was always big on every birthday, there had to be a big cake even if there wasn’t a party.
“And Christmas! Yoh, that was where we went all out, the gammon, soutvleis, tongue, a variety of salads and the list goes on.”
Easter in Robin’s childhood home had a strict “fish only” policy, as prescribed in the Bible.
Singer’s heritage is all about family. Video: Lubabalo Poswa/ AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)
“It was fish Saturday and Sunday, nothing else. My mom instilled that tradition in my siblings and I, we still do it today.”
He also believes in buying new bedding, cutlery, curtains for Christmas and of course the entire house must get a fresh coat of paint.
“On Boxing Day, we would pack in all the leftovers and head out to the beach in Fish Hoek, at 4am already, because we needed to be in time to get a lekker spot to picnic.”
Another big milestone for especially the women in his family was the “ skoon” 21st birthday.
“If you made it to 21 without having a baby, jinne, you got a big bash, it was like getting a gold medal at the Olympics!” he laughs.