It’s the end of the year holidays and for many of us that means that Christmas festivities are also being planned, and celebs are not excluded from the Christmas spirit.
Over the years, traditions have changed and adapted, some people have become more traditional and others less so, and religious customs have also either faded or been amplified.
No matter how you mark the day or the December period, there is one certainty and that is that you want to relax with those you love and reflect on the year that was and the one that is to come.
Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse
For Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse family is important this time of the year. “My late mom always had the family around for lunch and I keep that tradition on Christmas Day. I always have family around or go and visit my kids as they are all married and have families of their own,” he says.
But there is still some work that needs to be done as well before the year winds down.
“This season we will be doing a show on the 26th December, its always a busy time for artists and it has never changed. The big days are 16 December, 26 December and 2 January. These are big family days out, to go to music festivals and for artists to perform not to mention New Years Eve is always big. The music legend does make time to relax though: “I have never been a big drinker, but I do enjoy a good red wine with a gathering round that table; and we will always bless the food and we are grateful and give thanks with gratitude. For me at this age getting old is a blessing.”
Teboho Caddy Tsotetsi
For YFM and MTV Base Presenter Teboho Caddy Tsotetsi, it’s all about timing. “Christmas Day is always dedicated to family. I can work after I have had my annual Christmas Luncheon with the family. This always seems to bring me a peace of mind and fulfils my heart in ways I cannot describe.”
Nande Mbali
One of the fresh faces on the scene, Miss SA 2nd runner-up Nande Mbali it’s been a busy year.
She says: “This festive season, I plan to take some time off from work to enjoy Christmas with loved ones. I want to put up a Christmas tree in my apartment and get into the Christmas spirit. I will likely spend Christmas day with family or close friends to celebrate and exchange gifts. I would like a friendsmas.” For her it’s about holding on to the true meaning of this time of the year even though things might be a bit different: “Christmas holidays have changed a lot for me over the years. In childhood, it was all about the excitement of gifts, spending time at my grandmothers house with all of my cousins and aunts. All of my cousins are grown up and some have started their own families so having Christmas at my grandmothers house is not always a possibility. Now, as an independent adult, it is more about creating my own traditions and finding a balance between work and holiday celebrations.”
Siphokazi Jonas
For poet, playwright and producer Siphokazi Jonas Christmas is all about the memories. “When I was younger, we used to gather our extended families at my grandmother’s homestead eQoboqobo to celebrate together. All the cousins would be sleep on the floor, chatting into the night. We loved spending half the day in our pyjamas, fetching water from the main tap ngeembombozi, and buying sweets or chocolate dust from the only village shop. We aren’t able to gather as big group anymore, but we still make the pilgrimage to go back to the Eastern Cape to spend time with our families.” Siphokazi says she always looks forward to Christmas: “I will be taking time off to celebrate the season at home. We use the time for giving thanks and reflecting on the blessings and challenges of the year.” And when asked what’s the tradition she most cherishes, Siphokazi didn’t hesitate: “Cooking together. No lunch is complete without seven colours.”
