Shining a spotlight on SA’s heritage through the arts
Like most culturally-rich SA communities, Nevis says Athlone has remained a hidden gem for years.
“Growing up and going to a school outside Athlone, I was aware that most of the people from my school had never been in the area. For example, taking a friend from school into my neighbourhood once was like taking her through a museum. She had never seen the Cape Flats before, which was interesting because it felt like I was living in my secret world,” he says.
This realisation inspired him to write songs like 7764, highlighting the colourful and vibrant community but, most importantly, his history. He wanted people to experience where he’s from.
“Our community is so diverse and rich with talent and that’s why I am so proud to be associated with a brand that believes in our communities and wants to elevate the talent in the Cape Flats by sponsoring the Mitchells Plain Festival,” he says.
Nevis believes there’s still a lot to be discovered by people exploring their roots and that embracing this history is key to gaining a higher self-awareness.
“It’s our responsibility to learn about our history and the people who have helped us get to where we are today. If we don’t celebrate our heritage, no-one else will,” he concludes.
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Jimmy Nevis’ heritage deeply rooted in music, food, family and faith
Athlone is a cultural hub encapsulating SA’s rich heritage with its Cape Malay cuisine and close-knit multifaith communities, and this heritage month, pop singer Jimmy Nevis reflects on how this vibrant and culturally diverse Cape Flats community shaped his character.
“I’m proud to be able to give people a glimpse into my history through my music, especially because as small as the country may seem, there’s still so much we don’t know about each other. Thankfully, creativity is a great tool that allows us to share each other’s unique experiences, different cultures, and the stories that shaped us,” says Nevis.
A melting pot of rich diversity
Food is at the heart of the country’s rich heritage.
Jimmy’s parents were involved in the local Athlone church when he was growing up, which meant the family was well-known in the community. This allowed the then-aspiring musician to explore the different cultures that made up his neighbourhood by being invited for supper at different homes and hosting people at his house, getting a first-hand taste of the various local foods.
“My community was home to countless different cultures and religions. That meant I got to dig into different locally-made dishes that the neighbours would share with our family during celebrations like Diwali, Christmas, and Eid, while also going from house to house celebrating various religious holidays.”
Shining a spotlight on SA’s heritage through the arts
Like most culturally-rich SA communities, Nevis says Athlone has remained a hidden gem for years.
“Growing up and going to a school outside Athlone, I was aware that most of the people from my school had never been in the area. For example, taking a friend from school into my neighbourhood once was like taking her through a museum. She had never seen the Cape Flats before, which was interesting because it felt like I was living in my secret world,” he says.
This realisation inspired him to write songs like 7764, highlighting the colourful and vibrant community but, most importantly, his history. He wanted people to experience where he’s from.
“Our community is so diverse and rich with talent and that’s why I am so proud to be associated with a brand that believes in our communities and wants to elevate the talent in the Cape Flats by sponsoring the Mitchells Plain Festival,” he says.
Nevis believes there’s still a lot to be discovered by people exploring their roots and that embracing this history is key to gaining a higher self-awareness.
“It’s our responsibility to learn about our history and the people who have helped us get to where we are today. If we don’t celebrate our heritage, no-one else will,” he concludes.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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