Happy National Heritage Day South Africa! Amplify Africa celebrates September 24th as we recognize the culture and wealth of the nation! We celebrate with you as we remember the many cultures in South Africa and your fight for freedom.
Established in 1995, this day is inspired to celebrate traditions, beliefs, the culture’s diversity, and continued freedoms fought here. This day was created so all South Africans could observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage. The focus should be on cultural unity instead of cultural divisions, so a recent initiative by the Braai4Heritage call each South African to celebrate their common roots by having a braai (barbecue) on Heritage day. Some call it Shisa Nyama or Ukosa, others may call it a braai, but whatever the occasion, it’s all about a good meal and celebrating together.
South Africans honor the day by eating traditional foods, wearing traditional outfits, educating each other on different cultures and getting together with family and friends. The 24th of September marks ‘Shaka Day’ or ‘Shaka’s Day’, a day which commemorates the legendary King Shaka Zulu. Shaka Zulu played a very important role in uniting different Zulu clans into one Zulu nation in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Each year, thousands of people gather at King Shaka’s grave to pay tribute to him and to honor his memory.
The new South African Parliament however, refused Shaka Day from the Public Holidays Bill. But, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a huge Zulu membership fought against it eventually reaching a compromise. It was then decided that a national holiday would be created for South Africans allowing them to come together.
Nelson Mandela, the late former State President, said in a speech, “[w]hen 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.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaKBghrlT8
South Africa’s struggle is largely a part of who they are and is one of the most culturally diverse countries! It ranks among the 10 most culturally diverse countries in the world. Even the population of South Africa is one of the most complexed. One of the most important aspects of Heritage Day is the fact that it exposes South Africans to different people, cultures, traditions, beliefs, and religions they may never have been exposed to or encountered otherwise. It makes them step out of whatever bubble they were in most of that year. Heritage Day continues to provide opportunities for all South Africans to put their differences in politics, attitudes, and views aside, for one day to unite and come together in a single shared dream and aspirations!
