South Africans Urged to Preserve Cultural Heritage as Heritage Day Approaches

Pretoria – Heritage Day in South Africa, celebrated annually on September 24, offers a special occasion for the nation to embrace its cultural diversity and heritage. This significant celebration allows citizens to appreciate various cultural backgrounds while showcasing their own traditions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on businesses and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government in preserving and protecting historical, cultural, and natural heritage sites, particularly in marginalized communities. The President’s appeal comes in anticipation of this year’s Heritage Day celebrations.

“On this Heritage Day, I call on business and other stakeholders to work with the government in the cause of heritage preservation, particularly in marginalised communities,” President Ramaphosa stated in his weekly newsletter. He emphasized the crucial role of the private sector, corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and heritage organizations in safeguarding these legacies for future generations.

Although some prominent heritage sites, such as Robben Island and the Mandela House in Soweto, benefit from donor funding, President Ramaphosa expressed concern over the challenges faced by less renowned sites that struggle to obtain financial support. He highlighted the economic potential of such sites to stimulate local economies and provide employment in their communities.

The President also underscored the importance of heritage preservation for nation-building and national reconciliation. He acknowledged South Africa’s painful apartheid past, where indigenous customs, traditions, and languages were oppressed, and described Heritage Day as a pivotal event for cultural exchange and understanding.

As one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, South Africa’s natural heritage attracts tourists from across the globe, bolstering local job creation and investment. President Ramaphosa noted that in December 2023 alone, more than 400,000 visitors explored sites like Table Mountain National Park and Robben Island.

Moreover, President Ramaphosa highlighted the need to attract young South Africans to careers in the heritage sector. Through initiatives like the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the National Heritage Council, and the National Arts Council, the government has facilitated job opportunities for unemployed youth in film, digital media production, cultural project management, and other heritage-related fields.

The official commemoration of Heritage Day will occur at Meqheleng Stadium in Ficksburg, Free State. This year’s theme, “Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom”, shines a light on South Africa’s liberation movements and the support they received from neighboring countries during the struggle for freedom.