Pakistani nationals say it’s business as usual

FOR Pakistani nationals Bashir Mayat, 27, and Hamza Mohammed, 38, Heritage Day holds no real meaning.

Mayat and Mohammed, who own shops on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Road,

Durban, said that as Muslims, the only occasion they celebrated was Eid.

While September 24, is a public holiday, Mayat said he would tend to his clothing and cellphone repair store.

He has been in the country for about 12 years: “I don’t believe in culture but in my religion, which is

Islam, we just pray – which is part of our lifestyle.”

What he does enjoy about South Africa though, is the food, particularly breyani, dhal and roti.

Mohammed, who also owns a cellphone repair shop in the Durban CBD, said he, too, would not be celebrating any cultural activities.

While he has enjoyed living in the country for the past 10 years, he said he missed his homeland every now and then.

He, too, enjoys the local cuisine, such as chapati (roti) with tandooriflavoured curries.