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Get ready to celebrate your heritage and culture on September 24 for Heritage Day! This holiday, also known as National Braai Day, was created in South Africa to honor the diverse backgrounds and traditions of its people. It's a day to embrace and showcase your unique identity, whether it be through food, music, or clothing. From traditional dances to delicious meals, there are endless ways to celebrate this special day. So put on your cultural attire and get ready for a day filled with pride and appreciation for your roots.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Heritage Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Heritage Day was first proclaimed in South Africa by the government post-apartheid as a day to celebrate cultural diversity.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Official Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>South Africans celebrated their first official Heritage Day, emphasizing unity in diversity in a newly democratic society.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Braai Day Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>Media personality Jan Scannell launched the National Braai Day initiative, claiming the act of braai (barbecuing) is common to all South Africans.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Archbishop Tutu's Endorsement</div><div class='timeline-text'>Archbishop Desmond Tutu became the patron of National Braai Day, enhancing the day's profile and calling it a unifying force.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UNESCO Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>UNESCO recognized the cultural significance of the braai, relegating South African braai culture to the list of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many South Africans observe Heritage Day virtually, sharing their cultural expressions online for the first time.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a traditional food potluck</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a potluck where everyone brings a dish that represents their heritage. This is a great way to learn about different cultures and try new foods.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local cultural festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out if there are any cultural festivals happening in your area on Heritage Day. It's a great way to immerse yourself in different traditions and celebrations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a family tree</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use Heritage Day as an opportunity to research your family's history and create a family tree. You can even reach out to relatives for information and make it a collaborative project.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Wear traditional clothing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage your friends and family to wear traditional clothing on Heritage Day. It's a fun way to celebrate and showcase different cultural attire.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a cultural performance</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out if there are any cultural performances or shows happening in your area on Heritage Day. It's a great way to experience traditional dances, music, and storytelling.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates diversity and multiculturalism</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Heritage Day is a celebration of all the unique cultures and traditions that make up a country. It's a day to appreciate and embrace the diversity that makes us who we are as a society.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together through food</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the main ways Heritage Day is celebrated is by having "braais" (barbecues) with friends, family, and neighbors. This tradition allows for people to come together over delicious food and bond over shared experiences.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes cultural preservation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Heritage Day also serves as a reminder to preserve and honor traditional customs and practices. This includes promoting indigenous languages, arts, and crafts, which may be at risk of being forgotten in modern society.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day is Also Known as Shaka Day in KwaZulu-Natal</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, March 24 is traditionally celebrated as Shaka Day, in honor of the legendary Zulu King Shaka.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day Promotes Recognition of Freedom and Human Rights</h3><p class='facts-content'>Heritage Day is often used as a platform to highlight and promote social justice issues - celebrating progress and advocating for continued human rights and freedom.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Holiday Triggers Economical Development</h3><p class='facts-content'>Heritage Day stimulates economical growth as it triggers tourism in South Africa for foreigners interested in the country's diverse cultural heritage.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day Enhances Social Cohesion</h3><p class='facts-content'>Given the diverse ethnic groups co-existing within South Africa, Heritage Day proves to be a unifying force emphasizing mutual respect and understanding.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Each Year Focuses on A Specific Theme</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every year, a specific theme is set by the South African government for Heritage Day which focuses on different aspects of South African culture.</p></div></div>
Heritage Day is celebrated on September 24 every year. In 2024 Heritage Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Sep 24
Sunday
2024
Sep 24
Tuesday
2025
Sep 24
Wednesday
2026
Sep 24
Thursday
2027
Sep 24
Friday
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