Bright colours, music and dancing dominated yesterday as we celebrated Heritage Day. It was a marvel to see people proudly dressed in their traditional attire; our young looking beautiful as they showed their appreciation of who they are. It is moments such as these that reveal the richness this nation has to offer.Everything was right in the world yesterday as we showcased our rich and diverse culture.It is through our heritage that we connect with our past.Yesterday we remembered the art and dance that contribute so much to defining our past. Across our cities and rural communities, there was a spirit of respect for all cultures.But behind the bright colours and songs we hid the scars that continue to torment us.We can celebrate our past and sing praises to our forefathers but, for as long as the present inflicts such deep wounds on the majority in this country, Heritage Day will remain merely a moment on our calendar.Since our negotiated transition to democracy we have failed as a nation to discuss openly what binds us together.We try hard to avoid facing the reality that we hold different views about the road we should take.We can't even agree on what constitutes the "rainbow" we cite as characterising our nation.Yesterday we were told to unite in our diversity. We were also told that we are a proud nation with a rich heritage.What was not acknowledged was that we are still a nation at war with ourselves.We can't agree on anything except our anger.When unable to find solutions, we retreat to our lagers and exploit race to argue our positions.It gets even worse when those elected to lead us cannot even agree on fundamentals such as governance and the rule of law.They tell their truths according to their own perspectives.We have inherited a beautiful culture - but also a painful past of hatred and dispossession...