Heritage

Heritage can be defined as “something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth” or as “something that is inherited from the past, passed on by those- people, experiences and events- that have come before us”

Heritage Day has been recognised as a day for all South Africans to remember, explore and celebrate those factors that make us unique, but which bring us together as people. Given South Africa’s diversity, it is difficult to speak of any of these in a singular sense.

Former President Nelson Mandela had the following to say in a speech to mark Heritage Day in 1996: “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.”

“But, here in our fledgling democracy, we are creating a new heritage and re-contextualising the legacy of the past. A heritage in which we can all find meaning and expression and share together as South Africans”. Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (taken from 1998 Heritage Day celebrations)