Dear Ms Kenealy,

Firstly, I would just like to thank you for responding to my letter. It is a pleasure to be told I am wrong in this particular area of discussion and your positive attitude towards our community’s transformation is great to read.

Secondly, I apologise for not being clear in my letter; the title was reactionary I agree, but the real message was: where do you go as a multiracial/cultural group? And that answer is, unfortunately, still not answered.

I realise this is perhaps something we as the multiracial few need to create and hopefully we will be supported. The Louis Trichardt show used to be this for me, it was a place where all different cultures were represented both in stalls and in participation.  

The stats quoted are most alarming but I am however confused as to how the danger of the Louis Trichardt show affects the racial demographic?

Even you admit that the “Inni Berg Festival” was predominantly white. I am very pleased to hear that people of all races were treated warmly (as they should be). I am, however, speaking more about the feeling of being welcome and represented in stalls and participation. If the “Inni Berg Festival” truly felt they wanted a multicultural experience, why did the festival not represent the cultures of our town? If they did not want a multicultural experience, then how do you expect other cultures to feel welcome?

I do not think anyone of us can honestly say we did not notice racial polarisation between those two shows. That much I don’t think either of us is disputing.

My solution is to make a space (physically) where we can all interact together in a culturally diverse environment – neither show allowed that. I hope next year the Louis Trichardt show will be able to do that.

Your solution is to say we are all different because of our cultures, thus we must just accept that we naturally separate, and have our own shows?

I hope I misunderstand you, because I don’t think that is what the new South Africa is about.
Please don’t take Chancellor Merkel out of context. Five years ago, Chancellor Merkel admitted to the world that Germany had failed to become a multicultural society with specific reference to immigrants. We are discussing the multiculturalism between South African citizens from the same town, not immigrants. Furthermore, the debate was very controversial around the world and not something to be quoted as proof that multiculturalism is not possible.

Chancellor Merkel goes on to say that “Immigrants should do more to integrate”, although I don’t think I agree with her statement. I do agree that transformation is a VERB. People should proactively do things to make a multicultural society, not in a forced way, but simple things like having one show and having one place for young people to socialise.

Thirdly, Chanchelor Merkel is part of the Democratic Union of Germany, she is not a Marxist. Not all Germans are Marxist.

I do not think asking our community to make space for multiculturalism is “kneejerk Cultural Marxist’s punting”. I think that all democratic parties and more would align with that idea. Furthermore, embracing multiculturalism has a positive correlation to business profits, which I am sure you will find most capitalists align with. 

Thank you for an interesting debate. I hope to see you at the Duck & Run for some multiculturalism and cricket. 

- Emily Bristow