Heritage Day

Heritage Day is a day observed to commemorate South Africa’s cultural wealth. South African is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation because of its rich cultural diversity. South Africa has 11 official languages and each culture takes pride in celebrating their heritage. In his 1996 address of Heritage Day, Former President Nelson Mandela mentioned that the rich cultural heritage had the power to aid in Post-Apartheid South Africa’s efforts to build a new nation. Before 1996, the 24th of September was celebrated as Shaka Day in Kwazulu-Natal province, in commemoration of the Zulu King, Shaka Zulu. The request for Shaka Day to be an official holiday was rejected in 1995.

Heritage Day is a Public Holiday in South Africa and it is celebrated on the 24th of September each year. The Department of Arts and Culture partners with provincial government to host Heritage Day commemorations and there’s often an address by the president. The first Heritage Day celebration took place on the 24th of September 1995 and the day was declared a public holiday in 1996. Heritage Day is filled with commemorative events across the country and South Africans celebrate the day through wearing traditional attire, cooking traditional meals or the braai and participating in other cultural events such as dance, music, and art.

Heritage Day can be celebrated by participating in any of the festivities organized by government, corporates, schools, civil society, and your local community. South Africans from diverse cultures celebrate Heritage Day by wearing their traditional attire. Heritage Day can be celebrated at home with family and friends or by attending a Heritage Day celebration in closer to you. Other celebrations include enjoying a braai with friends and family at home or by having a picnic at your local park. There are a number of travel and tourism specials on Heritage Day including Game Reserves, hotel accommodation, flights, museums, and national parks.

Supermarkets lead the pack with Heritage Day specials. You can shop amazing Heritage Day specials at your nearest Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar, Boxer, Cambridge Food and many more, for all your grocery and household items needs. If you want to get great deals on appliances, furniture, and homeware; wholesale or discount retailers such as Makro and Game run Heritage Day sales nationwide. You can also get great phone, laptop, or data deals from leading telecommunications companies such as Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C. For all your clothing needs, Mr Price, Woolworth, Truworths, Foschini, Ackermans, Jet, Pep and Superbalist amongst others.