Celebrate Heritage Day at Kommetjie's community picnic

Kommetjie will host a special Heritage picnic and commemoration on Saturday, September 27, bringing together residents from across the valley to share food, stories, and reflections.

The event is a joint project by Simon’s Town Museum, the District Six Museum, the Fish Hoek Valley Museum, and the Kommetjie Ratepayers Association.

It starts at 11am with the unveiling of two Wag ’n Bietjie memorial benches at the Kommetjie boat slipway. The benches will serve as a living reminder of the families who were affected by forced removals in the area.

“Heritage Day is not only about celebrating cultural traditions,” said Sue Maude, curator of the Fish Hoek Valley Museum.

“It is also a moment to pause and reflect on the layered histories of our land. The Wag ’n Bietjie project invites us to ‘pause a moment’ and remember, so that these stories are never forgotten.”

After the unveiling, everyone is invited to head to the Kom for a community picnic. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, baskets, and chairs and enjoy the day together. There will also be games for children.

Ms Maude stated that the event is not just about food and fellowship; it also marks the beginning of a new journey.

“This is about building a community that respects the past and works towards a better future. It is also the start of an oral history project to record the voices of people in the valley who have not yet told their stories.”

Representatives from the District Six Museum will be on hand to gather stories from life in the valley before and after removals, as well as family memories, resilience, and hopes for the future.

“This event is not just for remembering, it’s for reconnecting,” said Ms Maude.

“By attending, people can help strengthen bonds between communities, foster intergenerational conversations, and contribute to a living archive of valley life.”

The picnic runs from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, September 27, at the Kommetjie Boat Slipway and the Kom. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Simon’s Town Museum on 078 218 7762.