Pretoria – South Africans have been called to play an active role in affirming, promoting and preserving its living heritage as part of the celebrations of national Heritage Month.
“As we begin the celebration of Heritage Month, we call on all communities united in our diversity, to celebrate our heritage, culture, tradition and our languages,” acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said.
She said Heritage Month is an opportune time for South Africans of all races, colour, creed, gender and religious beliefs to celebrate its uniqueness.
“Let us use the Heritage Month as a platform to promote social cohesion and nation building,” Williams said.
The main event for Heritage Day will be held in Vleifontein, Makhado in Limpopo on 24 September and celebrated under the theme “Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage: Towards the identification, promotion and preservation of South Africa’s living heritage”.
The event will be a cultural fair that will showcase and promote South Africa’s heritage such as indigenous foods, craft, dance, music, instruments and objects.
Key activities for the Heritage Month celebrations include the launch of the National Book Week on 3 September at Parktown in Johannesburg; the unveiling of the Matola Raid Memorial and the Interpretative Centre in Maputo, Mozambique, on 11 September as well as the unveiling of the sculpture of Chief Bhambatha on 22 September in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal.
A comprehensive calendar of Heritage Month activities will be available on government websites www.gov.za, www.dac.gov.za and www.gcis.gov.za.
South Africans have been encouraged to follow at @GovernmentZA @ArtsCultureSA @SAgovnews and @GCISMedia for updates on government programmes.
The official hashtag for Heritage Month is #Myheritage. – SAnews.gov.za
