Heritage Day

latest news & developments

Heritage isn't a museum of past relics

Heritage Day is more than a celebration of the past; it is a critical, ongoing process of deciding which values, memories, and traditions we choose to carry into South Africa's…

Legal victory: The Constitutional Court delivered a historic affirmation of community rights and living heritage, safeguarding the sacred land, livelihoods and identities that define our people. Photo: Sustaining the Wild Coast

Marine heritage is not for sale

The Constitutional Court's landmark ruling halting Shell’s exploration on the Wild Coast is more than a legal victory—it is a vital affirmation of living heritage, community…

Fun: YouthX Day at Constitution Hill promises a stacked line-up. Photo: Supplied

Diary: YouthX Festival, Routes of Sound at Spier Wine Farm, , Grave Injustice Exhibition

Your essential dose of art and culture

One of the cornerstones of our cultural heritage is the recognition and promotion of South African official languages.(Brenton Geach/Gallo)

In honour of South Africa’s cultural and linguistic richness this Heritage Month

The Constitution ensures the protection and promotion of every citizen’s unique heritage

Khwezi Vika, Marketing Manager at Castle Milk Stout.

Rediscover the rhythms of traditional songs with Castle Milk Stout’s Afrikaraoke

It’s a way to preserve our heritage, celebrate and teach youngsters the lyrics of our sacred songs

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa at one of the many cultural events that took place during National Heritage Month.

Heritage Month

‘Heritage is a continuum of past, present and future’

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Fear stops us innovating our heritage

Creativity is the ability to put old things together in new ways. We should do the same with heritage

Fine food: ‘Blackouts and Boerewors’ serves up more than wors, such as the mega steak roll with peppercorn sauce

Viva the basic bro of braaiing

A new recipe book, ‘Blackouts and Boerewors’, is fire, if you’re inclined towards the complex

Graphic: John McCann

Honouring heritage involves being honest about succession planning

South African leaders mitigate against brain drain and other challenges with bold thinking, innovation and growth focus. We need to make sure we have a heritage worth celebrating…

A life-sized statue pays homage to Coline Williams and Robbie Waterwitch outside the Athlone Police Station Photo: Ryan Enslin

Champion of the celebrated heroes of District Six

Anita Hermanus offers free walking tours through the streets of Cape Town, the Bo-Kaap and Athlone relating detailed anecdotes of the heroes and history

Getty Images

Recognition of heritage should come before celebration

It is both inward and outward-looking … showing we care for each other should carry more weight than wearing traditional clothing

Heritage is generally defined as an acknowledgement of historical artefacts, practices and sites which should be preserved for the benefit of future generations. The Apartheid Museum is advertising Heritage Month on its Facebook page.

What is the meaning of heritage on Heritage Day?

With so much attention given to heritage this month, why are South Africans generally not very interested in debates concerning what should be commemorated

A general view of EFF supporters protesting at Mall of Africa during the national shutdown of all Clicks outlets on 7 September 2020. (Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Represent the under-represented by championing who we as South Africans truly are

By not considering the heritage of the people advertising agencies communicate with, we create work and shape brands that are irrelevant, inappropriate, offensive and meaningless

Kgolo gives an insight into African customs and traditions

Heritage day: A reminder of the communal promise to work towards an equality for all country

Acknowledging the plurality of perspectives, opinions, priorities, emotions and interests of the different travelers on our transformation road is vital

One of the cornerstones of our cultural heritage is the recognition and promotion of South African official languages.(Brenton Geach/Gallo)

Celebrating a distorted notion of unity in diversity during South Africa’s heritage month

Let us critically think about what it is that we are celebrating, especially while the younger generation is losing touch with their mother tongue.