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 24^th 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?

Social media: a voice for the youth.

Social media has grown to such extent that it is a profound and integral part of our daily lives, something that we cannot live without.

Ask yourself this question, what were you doing with your free time, 4 years ago ans what are you doing with your free time now?  This might be more relevant to you, if you are between the ages of 15 to 36.

The reason for this might be simpler than one might think, for one it is because social media is easily accessible.  If we take a look at the mobile usage amongst South African youth, 72% of those between the ages of 15 and 24 have cell phones, according to the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.  

 

This technology enables them to go onto their social media platform easily and without hassle.  For example, according to Social Bakers, the largest age group using Facebook in South Africa is between 25-34, followed by users between the ages of 18-24 and 90% of them are accessing this platform from their mobile device.

The biggest reason for the success of social media is not just because it is easily accessible, but also because it gives the youth, and everyone else, a voice that is loud and clear, one that is heard.  It gives them a chance to express themselves in ways that so many disapprove of, especially in public places such as schools, where students get judged by other students or people who don’t let them express themselves. If someone were to judge you on Facebook, twitter, etc. you can easily delete them which many can’t do outside of social media without the risk of being bullied.

There is also a sense of power and expression that builds self-esteem; they can converge with whoever they want whenever they want to. It can also be a way out for so many people, not just for the youth, who struggle in life, those who have no friends or aren’t as social as those around them. It gives them a chance to meet new people and find friends online, which they couldn’t have done due to being shy or nervous.

Social media also helps strengthen relationships. Many people have friends whom they have not seen since school, or who have moved away and this platform gives them the possibility of staying connected with one another.

Even though social media is sometimes perceived as just being a cool tool for young people, providing them with swift and easy means of communication it is also a platform to build their self-esteem. People are still quick to judge the legitimate and informed uses of social media platforms. However, having quick worldwide lines of communication predominantly involving our youth, is exactly what is needed, to reach, activate and involve them in matters concerning our environment, education and social well being.

Remember the youth are our future and if we want them to be part of the conversation, then social media is where we need to start the conversation.

Celebrating Heritage Day – 24 September 2013

Our heritage is very unique and precious because it helps us to define our cultural identity

Heritage Day is a national holiday where all South Africans celebrate their cultural heritage and embrace their diverse traditions and values that contribute to our “rainbow nation”. It is a day in which we are all encouraged to celebrate our cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa. We as South Africans live in a country full of diversity, and because of this we should all be accommodating and respect other people’s heritage.

At an address marking National Heritage Day in 1996, Nelson Mandela said:

"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."

At Eduloan, we like to offer people from all walks of life the opportunity and access to education, unlocking potential throughout South Africa.

We would like to wish all our clients a happy Heritage Day!