What is Heritage Day

Heritage Day aka Braai Day is an opportunity for South Africans to celebrate their particular heritage and culture with friends, family and peers. 

Did you know that Heritage Day was known originally as Shaka Day ?

Shaka Day, commemorated the legendary Zulu king, Shaka. King Shaka Zulu was primarily responsible for unifying multiple Zulu clans to stand against the Boers and British.

The day was almost lost due to it not being included in the Public Holiday Bill. It was added later in 1996 with a name change - Heritage Day. The reason for the name change was to include all South Africans to celebrate their heritage for all diverse cultures.

So whats all the fuss about Braai Day ?

In 2005 an initiative was started by the media to rebrand Heritage Day to National Braai day. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu become the patron of South African Braai Day. His idea around Braai Day was for all South Africans to unite and celebrate their heritage and culture with each other. 

Braai Day received an endorsement from the South African National Heritage Council and was named Braai4Heritage. 

Tutu has been quoted as saying

“We’re going to have this wonderful thing on the 24th of this month… when we all gather round one fire… it’s a fantastic thing, a very simple idea. Irrespective of your politics, of your culture, of your race, of your whatever, hierdie ding doen ons saam (this thing we do together)… just South Africans doing one thing together, and recognising that we are a fantastic nation”.

So put on your favourite clothes and braai aka BBQ up a storm today with those close to you

Happy Heritage Day !

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_Day_(South_Africa)