Thanksgiving, is a federal holiday, celebrated in the United States, on the fourth Thursday of November. Rooted in gratitude and harvest, the holiday revolves around a Thanksgiving dinner featuring indigenous American cuisine like turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, green beans, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Traditions extend to charitable dinners, religious services, and televised events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. As the starting point for the Christmas season, Thanksgiving's significance is followed by Black Friday, the busiest shopping day in the world. The holiday’s historical roots date back to the 1621 autumn harvest feast shared by Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans. Originally celebrated by individual colonies and states, President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War. Author and Cultural Expert Ntsundeni Ndou joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.