Celebrating our heroes: Reflection on Heritage Day theme - POWER ...

Heritage Day, observed on 24 September 2024, aims to honour South Africa’s rich cultural diversity.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom,” invites reflection on the nation’s collective history.

The African National Congress (ANC) expressed its support, stating, “This day provides all of us as South Africans with the collective opportunity to reflect on our accumulated stock of cultural and social values across time.”

The party emphasised that the country’s moral and political histories are integral to its identity.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen also acknowledged Heritage Day, reflecting on the importance of embracing differences and building a united nation.

“We celebrate Heritage Day, a day that honours the rich culture and diversity of traditions and beliefs of South Africa,” Steenhuisen said.

 He stressed that the day symbolises the strength found in unity amidst diversity.

Rise Mzansi noted the complexity of forming a national identity, citing the nation’s 12 official languages and diverse cultural practices.

“We all want a country united behind common values, which align with the Constitution and which Rise Mzansi has set out as Freedom, Equality, Justice, Solidarity and Integrity. Notwithstanding this, there are a plethora of social and political ills that are symptomatic of a country with a poor sense of national identity and character, and lack of leadership,” Rise Mzansi National leader, Songezo Zibi added.

In contrast, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys critiqued the notion of unity on Heritage Day, highlighting socio-economic disparities.

“The wealth of our nation is still concentrated in the hands of the descendants of colonisers, while the majority of South Africans are relegated to townships, informal settlements, and rural areas with no access to basic services like clean piped water, dignified sanitation, and electricity,” she stated

POWER Digital