Let’s be realistic in call for holidays

IT IS APPRECIATED that the South African Law Reform Commission has proposed that the celebration of public holidays in South Africa be reviewed.

This is an appeal for good sense to prevail when the matter is officially discussed. This can only happen if two important aspects of the matter are taken into consideration. First that there is a need for the economy of the country to be considered. Second, that religious communities would call for the most important religious days to be observed for celebration, is important.

But in the South African context the matter can become extremely difficult for the Law Reform Commission and all others concerned with deliberations on the matter. The Hindu community has the responsibility to be very realistic and not make excessive demands on the issue.

Thirteen days in the year are observed as public holidays. The country cannot afford a fourteenth one.

It is true that Diwali is the most prominent of Hindu sacred days. However, to ask for it to be declared a public holiday is totally unrealistic and very unnecessary.

The Hindu community is an important part of South Africa’s demography.

It is nevertheless an extremely small one. It has no right to demand that the day be made a national holiday. If the sacred days of several other religious communities in the country are taken into consideration, the matter will become totally untenable.

Christmas and Easter have long been national holiday times. To interfere with these would be very naive.

It is suggested that the government declare Heritage Day in September a day representative of the sacred days of all communities in South Africa.

This would be purely symbolic, but a day of recognition of all the cultures of the country. THILLAY NAIDOO

Durban North