HERITAGE MONTH – SEPTEMBER
The 2023 Heritage Month brings focus to South Africa’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and its immense contribution to our social, economic, health, and scientific well-being especially for rural, township, and peri-urban communities.
Annually, September marks Heritage Month with Heritage Day celebrated on 24 September by showcasing our nation’s diverse culture and heritage. During Heritage Month, South Africans celebrate our many diverse cultures and our rich heritage, which incorporates African, Asian, and European cultures and traditions.
The theme for this year’s Heritage Month is “Celebrating our cultural diversity in a democratic South Africa” and the Heritage Day event on 24 September 2023 will be hosted by the eThekwini Metro in KwaZulu-Natal.
This year’s Heritage Month continues to encourage South Africans in all district municipalities to host cultural carnivals with music, dance, poetry, and food from different cultural groups who reside within that district.
Follow the conversation on social media using #HeritageMonth2023 and #CulturalDiversityZA
HERITAGE DAY – 24 SEPTEMBER
The "rainbow nation" - South Africa has had a bloody history, but its cultural heritage and traditions date back far further. The 24th September is observed as Heritage Day, a celebration not only of the past, but of the contributions of the South African people in making the country what it is today.
The legendary Zulu king Shaka played a huge role in uniting the disparate tribes of South Africa into a cohesive role, and 24th September was celebrated as Shaka Day in the KwaZulu-Natal area. When the South African parliament was considering the bill of public holidays, this day was not included, leading to protests by the Inkatha Freedom Party, which had largely Zulu representation and support. In order to reach a compromise, the date was renamed Heritage Day and included in the bill.
What has to be noted is that, South Africa is a heterogeneous country with many different cultural practices; there the Heritage Day cannot and should not be a uniform celebration. Variety is defined as a national asset, and the government announces themes each year that guide official celebrations.
South Africans heritage define who we are, how do we do things - choosing to embrace diversity, recognizing the rich natural resources and our potential as people, and the collaborative innovative peaceful approach that we bring to everything we do have marked our remarkable rebirth and transition from a pariah state to a stable prosperous growing democracy. Heritage Day was created to celebrate all of this as a unique South African identity, and to give the people a chance to reflect on themselves and their past, present and future.
On this day there is a Presidential address to the nation. People are encouraged to learn about their cultures, their national anthem, their flag and other symbols of historic national importance. Various events are held all over the country promoting theatre, dance, comedy, food, wine, games, activities and wildlife. Braai adds another feather to the celebration on the Heritage Day. " Heritage Day gives every South African the chance to proudly display and revel in their achievements as a nation, and look forward to a peaceful and prosperous future.
