Address by Manny de Freitas MP at the Closing Festa of Madeira Day celebrations in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal Province

Introduction

The Honorary Consul of Portugal, Mr de Sousa,

Mr. De Gouveia,

Ladies and Gentlemen and friends.

First of all I must thank all concerned for inviting me so that I not only have the honour of being present at these celebrations but also for the privilege to speak to you today.

Younger generations and their continuation of Portuguese culture and traditions

When I was briefed on what I should speak about, I was advised that I should touch on the subject of our younger generations and their continuation with Portuguese traditions and culture. This is something very close to my heart. However the environment and circumstances are today very different to those of previous generations that immigrated to South Africa from Portugal.

The landscape before

Allow me to explain. The great modern Portuguese diaspora took place mainly during the 1950’s and 60’s under the Portuguese Salazar dictatorship that was under political pressure to deliver to the Portuguese Empire at the time. This was not happening. As a result many sections of the population looked for opportunities internationally. Many at the time, mainly from the poorest section of the then Luso-Empire, the inhabitants of the Madeira Islands, took the opportunities offered by the then South African Nationalist government. As a result hundreds of thousands of people flocked to our shores. They arrived knowing little about local culture, conditions and language.

The Portuguese at the time thus gravitated to the familar; to those that could speak their mother tongue, understood their culture back home but more importantly where they were at emotionally and psychologically in this foreign land. It was thus appropriate that support systems such as social and cultural clubs were established. At the time these organisations thrived. As the Portuguese community prospered so did these organisations as they were an intrigral part of the lives of these people.

The landscape today

Now let’s fast-forward to 2012. These immigrants, such as my parents, now have children and grandchildren who are well established as South Africans, understand and relate to this culture which is actually their own. They appreciate their origins and love the Portuguese culture and language but in reality feel like foreigners when visiting Portugal. They are actually proud South Africans who form part of its society. Many have married South Africans and all have South African friends.

With this background, it makes perfect sense that the associations formed as support systems for the Portuguese community 60 years ago are relevant only to the older generations, and only a section thereof at that. Younger generations have no requirement for such support systems. Younger people who wish to get involved in these organisations, should be encouraged and their innovative and even radical ideas should be considered.

The face of the future Portuguese Community?

At a meeting in June in Cascais of Luso-Elected public representatives I met a Luso-descendent American who cannot speak a single word of Portuguese. His parents in turn also did not speak any Portuguese but he maintains and practices the traditions, culture and norms of all that is Portuguese. This is the reality and needs to be accepted.    

This acceptance that our community is evolving and changing doesn’t mean that we should be complacent. The responsibility is thus ours to recognise that our communities are constantly changing and evolving. The dynamics of the community is constantly shifting; this should be seen as a good and positive thing and not a threat. In so doing we should also adapt our strategies and outlook towards our community.

It is true, for example, that a growing percentage of younger Portuguese and Luso-descendants speak little or no Portuguese. But whose fault is that? Did their parents ensure that they learnt the language? Were these young people exposed to Portuguese culture and traditions? My answer is probably ‘no’ on all accounts. To now cry foul that their children are Portuguese-illiterate is disingenuous as they caused this problem in the first place! The fault lies totally at the feet of those parents. Without fail, every time I’ve spoken to a Luso-descendant who doesn’t speak the Luso language, they have expressed regret that they are unable to speak it – thanks to the environment created by their parents that disallowed them to learn the 7^th most spoken language on the planet.

Young Luso-South Africans should be encouraged to become as successful as possible. In doing this they will also be adding prestige to the Portuguese community but also being even great South Africans, being part of building our Rainbow nation.

Conclusion

I conclude with something that I have said many times: I am a proud and patriotic South African and love South Africa and believe and have great hopes for my wonderful country. However, this takes nothing away from the pride, love and fondness I have for Portugal, its culture and history. They are my original roots before becoming an African. I thus love South Africa and Portugal equally but in different ways just like the deep love I have for my father that takes nothing away from the deep love I have for my mother.

This, I believe, should be the attitude we should all have.

Manny de Freitas MP

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance