Remembering Our Heritage

What is Heritage Day?

Heritage Day is celebrated on 24 September every year. The day is set aside for all South Africans to remember and pay tribute to our rich history and various cultures which make our country unique. In celebrating Heritage Day, South Africans are called upon to find unity in our diversity.

Former President Nelson Mandela made the following statement in an address on Heritage Day in 1996 which echoes this sentiment:

"When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.

We did so knowing that the struggles against the injustice and inequities of the past are part of our national identity; they are part of our culture. We knew that, if indeed our nation has to rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of division and conflict, we had to acknowledge those whose selfless efforts and talents were dedicated to this goal of non-racial democracy."

How is Heritage Day Celebrated?

Every year, national government sets a theme for Heritage Day. This year the theme is Reclaiming, Restoring and Celebrating Our Living Heritage.

Find out which heritage events are taking place in the Western Cape.

Sources:

South African Government Information

Western Cape Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport