Heritage day, also known as
national braai day, is the public holiday that we as South Africans get to
celebrate on the 24th of September each year. On this specific day we are encouraged to celebrate our culture,
diversity in beliefs and traditions and the fact that this beautiful county
belongs to us all.
Former South African president and
father of our Rainbow Nation concisely explained it when he said the following
in a heritage day speech: “When our fist 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 profound power to help build our new nation”.
The unique opportunity we have with
heritage day is to define our cultural identity. It has the power to affirm our
diverse cultures and in so doing shape our national character as a “Rainbow
Nation”. We get to be one, be at peace
with who we are. South Africa has many
achievements especially in addressing past inequities, Heritage day gives us
the opportunity to reflect and teach our youth not about our history alone, but
also about what we can accomplish with unity.
This day also promotes the need for
a new South African identity, fostering reconciliation and promoting the notion
that variety is a national asset rather than
igniting conflict.
Having 11 official languages and
coining Table Mountain, as one of the 7 natural wonders of this world is what
makes this country great. We have the
power to accomplish anything we want to achieve, overcoming Apartheid is but
one of this country’s many successes.
This word says it all; ‘simunye’ we are one! Tell us, what do
you enjoy most about South Africa?
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