‘Certain dimension’ of Heritage Day lost as SA battles poverty, unemployment
Wits University history lecturer, Noor Nieftagodien says a certain dimension of Heritage Day has been lost and is "devoid" of any meaning, so much so that many South Africans merely celebrate it as "Braai Day."
Each year, millions of people in the country gather on the 24 September to celebrate their culture, diversity, beliefs, and traditions in post-apartheid South Africa.
The popular holiday has also become synonymous with “Braai-Day.”
“The fact that people even think of Heritage Day as Braai Day makes it even more devoid of real meaning and celebration. And thinking about who we are as individuals as communities and how do we celebrate our heritage when there is high unemployment and such high levels of poverty?" says Nieftagodien.
“Those are today I would say the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves when we think about our heritage. Our heritage is not just what we wear, our heritage is the ideas that we have inherited about having a better society.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the Heritage Day celebrations in Tshwane on Saturday.
Thousands of South Africans are expected to gather at the Union Buildings where Ramaphosa will lead the nation in the celebrations.
