News: Heritage Day 24 September

Some have loosely defined heritage as "something possessed as a result of one`s natural situation or birth" or "inherited from the past, passed on by those - people, experiences and events - that have come before us".

Both of these are true of South Africa`s heritage, which also encompasses our history, values, norms and culture. In a way, who we are and who we choose to be as a nation is very much a product of our collective heritage. Because of our history and the lessons drawn from it, we have chosen to gather strength in our diversity and not to regard or use it as a divisive tool.

Ten ways to celebrate our heritage


1. Explore and discover our country - and while you`re at it, visit our heritage sites. 

2. Show your true colours and fly our flag. After all, marketing South Africa is everyone`s business and each and every one of us, through our behaviour, the words we use and the stories we tell, can make a difference in how we see ourselves and how the rest of the world perceives South Africa.

3. Celebrate our successes and share your life story; we have a lot to be proud of - we continue to inspire the world to a new way of doing things, because our unique combinations create refreshing possibilities.

4. Proudly buy South African products and make use of South African services. This is not only a celebration of our heritage but it helps to sustain our economy too. Marmite, boerewors, Mrs Balls Chutney, Ouma`s Rusks and biltong - does it get any better than that? Why not host a Heritage Day lunch and serve only South African food?

5. Learn our anthem - We must be the only country to have a national anthem composed in five different languages - and probably the only one whose people don`t know the words to all of the verses! Our anthem, with its different languages and its different tunes, is a reflection of the diversity of our nation!

6. Recognise the role our past has played in shaping what South Africa has become today - read up on the parts of our history that you don`t know or haven`t thought of since your were a child. Read the biographies of some of South Africa`s awesome heroes. 

7. Learn the story of our flag - Did you know that our flag is the third most recognised flag in the world? 

8. Learn one more of our 11 languages and explore the culture attached to it - learn more about the other races of the South African nation and open your eyes to the amazing diversity of South Africa`s people, and at the same time, indulge in other tastes and flavours.

9. Celebrate our progressive constitution . You can celebrate and commemorate this by exercising your democratic rights and respecting the rights of others to begin with.

10. Live `Ubuntu` - `I am because we are` - show hospitality and warmth to fellow countrymen and visitors alike.

It is about togetherness and teamwork, attributes that have helped to build the rainbow nation and that will keep the rainbow intact for years to come.

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