Cape Town: The city celebrated the ‘Heritage Day’ on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The day was recognised and celebrated as the cultural wealth of the nation. South Africans celebrated the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that made up the population of South Africa.
The Heritage Day is a national public holiday, that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the country. It especially acknowledges the contributions of all South Africans, regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion. The holiday was created as a way to promote unity and reconciliation among South Africans.
Heritage Day is specifically celebrated only on September-24, every year. Historically, it is also known with the other name as Shaka’s Day. Shaka kaSenzangakhona was the legendary Zulu King, who united different Nguni clans into one cohesive Zulu nation in the 19th Century.
The King is remembered on the day, as the thousands of people gather at King Shaka’s grave every year and pays tribute to him and honour his memory.
South Africans celebrate the Heritage Day in many ways. The most popular ways are to organise festivals, concerts and dances. People also visit museums and famous historical sites. Or they simply spend time with their family and friends, also share specific community stories and traditions, if any.
Schools and institutions also celebrate the occasion, where children usually dress up in their traditional clothing, and also perform or teach each other traditional dances.
Braai is served, to commemorate the Heritage Day. Back in year 2005, a major campaign was launched by Jan Scannell, who left his job in the finance sector to focus on a personal mission. It was introduced with a thought to encourage South Africans of all races and cultures to join together and celebrate the Heritage Day, by engaging in the parts of the world as a Barbecue, but also known in South Africa as Shisa Nyama or Ukosa.
Jan Braai, the famous spokesperson for a range of braai accessories, meat and Boerewors, for a type of sausage, that was made of a blend of meats and spices endemic in South Africa. The idea is to had some high-profile supporters, with most notable being Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who in 2007 was recognised as the National Spokesperson for ‘Braai Day’.
Moreover, after snubbing the idea in 2007 as trivializing, the National Heritage Council was endorsed it in 2008. There are still some South Africans who consider the re-imagining of the Heritage Day as Braai Day which is little offending but the commercialisation of an important commemoration.