Heritage Day is a National Holiday to commemorate and celebrate our culture and the contribution that all South Africans make to build the country.
The focus this year is on celebrating indigenous languages with the theme, “Celebrating South Africa’s literacy classics in the year of indigenous languages”.
This theme comes about as the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages in line with the Bill of Right’s clause that guarantees freedom of linguistic, cultural and religious association in promoting social cohesion.
In every community, there are living human treasures who possess a high degree of knowledge, skills and history pertaining to different aspects of diverse living heritage.
Soshanguve Times went out to find out how the youth of Soshanguve view this day and how serious they take their culture including how they spent the day.
This is what they had to say:
Karabo Mahlasela (18) said Heritage Day means celebrating being part of a culture and embracing it without fear.
“My culture is Isizulu and is very important to me because it is one of the reasons why I am this proud Zulu woman.
“I spent the day with my family, having a braai and my mother made umqombothi (traditional beer) for people in our location to enjoy and celebrate this day. I also enjoy uphuthu and inkomanzi (sour milk and pap).
Sam Luvhengo (19) said Heritage Day means that he gets a chance to observe the culture in the country and have a sense of belonging in a certain group that will help me grow to be a respectable person by following my tradition and learning other things from other cultures.
“My TshiVenda culture is important because it is one of the most respecting cultures in our country, our women do not look men straight in the eyes when talking to them, so we are seen as respectful people by just abiding by our traditional rules and regulations.
“I spent this day with my family and my extended family for lunch and the theme was strictly traditional and it was enjoyable to see the many traditional clothing taste food. My favorite meal is vhuswa, muroho and khuhu ya Tshivenda (pap, spinach and venda cooked chicken).”
Dikeledi Chantelle Khoza 21 years of age, said this day reminds him of who he really is which makes him connect with her ancestors.
“I wish I could have the chance to connect with them, be around the fire and listen to stories from the wise elderly. I think life was better without social media that controls our lives. Most of the youth can not speak their mother tongue which makes them forget who they are.
“I am Sotho which means a lot to me, our tradition attire is unique in a way and different from other cultures and I have learned a lot from my elders about the Sesotho culture.
“The elders taught me about my roots and I am willing to share whatever knowledge they passed on to me to the next generation
“I mostly spend this day with my grandmother listening to her stories enjoying my favorite traditional dish of isLeqebekwane(steam bread).
Siyasanga Monoalibe, 23years of age said Heritage Day to her means embracing culture more than one usually does.
“My culture is IsiXhosa and it is very important to me because it defines where I come from and where I am going as far as culture is concerned.
“I spent my heritage day with my family and close friends, embracing and learning about our different cultures. As a proud Xhosa, my favorite meal has to be umgqusho.
Thabiso Morula (23) said culture to him is important because it defines who he is and it is rooted in him.
“My culture is Sepedi and is very important because it is what I am and what I will always be. We are different from other cultures in how we dress in our bright and colorful traditional attire.
“I spent my holiday at Alexandra Heritage festival where there were all sorts of traditional food, Music and dances. My favorite food is Mopani Worms.