Tuesday 23 September 2014

Being proudly South African on heritage day


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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