By Emily Setona
HARRISMITH – Busamed Harrismith Private Hospital celebrated Heritage Day by bringing staff together through cultural food, diversity and shared traditions as employees prepared and shared dishes representing their different backgrounds on 23 September.
The hospital’s Heritage Day celebration formed part of its broader commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, with staff using food and cultural traditions to recognise the different communities represented within the workplace.
Hospital manager Constance “Connie” Majeke said Heritage Day provided an opportunity for staff to celebrate their different cultural backgrounds while strengthening a sense of belonging within the organisation.
“Heritage Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our workforce and reinforces our commitment to inclusion and belonging,” Majeke said.
She said recognising and appreciating different backgrounds, traditions and experiences helped strengthen relationships among employees.
“By recognising and appreciating our different backgrounds, traditions, and experiences, we strengthen team cohesion, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose,” she said.
Majeke said the celebration also reflected Busamed’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities it serves.
“By embracing diversity, we strengthen innovation, enhance collaboration, and foster a culture where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives,” she said.
The celebration featured a bring-and-share lunch, with staff preparing different cultural dishes to share with their colleagues.
Mahlatse Twala, a Mopedi nurse working in the casualty department, said the celebration was an opportunity for employees to showcase Tsonga culture and cuisine.
“Today our theme for Heritage Day is being Tsonga, so we have cooked and brought Tsonga cuisine for our bring-and-share lunch. We are celebrating our diversity because as much as we are diverse, we are one. That’s why we have all brought different food for us to share today in celebration of Heritage Day,” Twala said.
Simosenkosi Buthelezi, a Zulu nurse working in casualty, said the hospital brought together employees from different cultural backgrounds.
“I’m a Zulu lady. I work at Busamed Hospital where I work with a diverse staff. In my ward, there are Pedis, Zulus and Basotho. Today, as a hospital, we are celebrating our diversity, working together under one roof,” Buthelezi said.
Patricia Mashiya, a Mosotho woman and invited guest and stakeholder, said celebrating heritage remained important in preserving cultural identity.
“I’m here as a visitor. I’m happy that we still see the importance of celebrating Heritage Day so that we do not lose our culture and heritage,” Mashiya said.
The celebration gave Busamed staff an opportunity to share more than food, with their cultural traditions serving as a reminder of the diversity within the hospital and the importance of creating a workplace where different identities and backgrounds are recognised.
Majeke said celebrating diversity was part of bringing Busamed’s Vision 2030 values to life and positioning the organisation for sustainable growth and long-term success.
