Our shared heritage
In 1996, then-president Nelson Mandela said: “When our first democratically elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation. We did so knowing that the struggles against the injustice and inequities of the past are part of our national identity; they are part of our culture.”
As South Africa celebrates this shared heritage on 25 September, we asked a few of LEAP students what it meant to them.
Zenkosi Ntlebi, Grade 9:
Heritage to me means a day where we celebrate our heroes, our forefathers that fought for our freedom to express ourselves freely without fear of victimization.”
Thuthula Luke, Grade 10:
Heritage day means cherishing the things you have from your ancestors and family about your identity. This heritage day I will be performing my traditional Xhosa dance and eat traditional food like mphokoqo here at school during the heritage day celebration.”
Nolutho Base, Grade 11:
Heritage is important to me because it is a reflection of my culture and customs.”
