Heritage Day: Celebrating being uniquely South African
South Africa is home to 57,7 million people - distinctive in their identities and beliefs. It's also a country uniquely of 11 official languages.
As South Africans mark Heritage Day today, it's a national public holiday to celebrate our diversity as a nation.
The first Heritage Day in South Africa was celebrated on 24 September 1995, endorsed by SA's first democratically-elected government.
Prior to that - the day was known as Shaka Day in KZN, in honour of Zulu King, Shaka.
While National Braai Day was coined in 2005 - recognising the country's culinary tradition of braais or chisa nyamas - the informal barbeque hosted in the backyard of homes.
Today South Africans, political parties and local organizations have shared messages on social media - on their unique views on Heritage Day.
"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 & varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation" #NelsonMandela #HeritageDay pic.twitter.com/9W1GqsFU6l
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) September 24, 2018
We wish you a happy #HeritageDay. This is a great opportunity for us not only to teach our counterparts about our heritage, but to learn more and create a better understanding of each other's customs, cultural values & practices.
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) September 24, 2018
What do you appreciate most about your heritage? pic.twitter.com/PSqDqVGFpd
Morning, Molweni, Môre, A Salaam Alaikum, Shalom, Namaste Cape Town. Let’s celebrate our diversity that makes this city the great place it is. Take some time to visit @IzikoMuseums to learn more about our shared history. Happy #HeritageDay Mzantsi! pic.twitter.com/I5xPh86bMG
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) September 24, 2018
Happy Heritage Day dear people of South Africa, the place of Ubuntu. Let’s make the next season brim with hope #HeritageDay pic.twitter.com/veQBacPaJC
— Prof Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) September 24, 2018
Happy #HeritageDay South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤️💙💚💛🖤🇿🇦
— Leanne Manas (@LeanneManas) September 24, 2018
Let's not let our culture and language die.. lets Teach it to your kids and make sure they are proud of it as much as we are. Happy #HeritageDay South Africa pic.twitter.com/wn5TeEyMNC
— TAB (@LastBorn__) September 24, 2018
"I am South African, from the Mother Land!
— King Kapas🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@keithhambley) September 24, 2018
For her blue skies take my breath away
And my hope for the future is bright in her
I am an African
For her people greet me as family
And teach me the meaning of love, respect, diverse and different cultures in my community" #heritageday pic.twitter.com/sKaKJB4GUh
What does the day mean to you? How will you celebrate Heritage Day? Share your messages and pictures with us on [email protected], or tweet @ECR_Newswatch.