Heritage Day, known as I langa lwama siko e sintu in isiZulu, imini yoku khumbula noku hlonipha amasiko nezithethe zakwantu in isiXhosa and Erfenisdag in Afrikaans, is a public holiday observed annually on September 24.

The day gives South Africans an opportunity to celebrate the country’s rich and diverse heritage.

The South African government said Heritage Day recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation, while the South African website Public Holidays said Heritage Day is a reminder of the nation’s cultural diversity and a chance to express national unity.

Heritage Day is also widely known as National Braai Day, bringing another much-loved South African tradition into the celebrations.

On September 5, 2007, Nobel Peace Prize winner Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu was appointed patron of the National Braai Day initiative.

The official National Braai Day website, braai.com, describes the initiative as a call for South Africans to come together around fires, celebrate their shared heritage and wave the national flag on September 24 each year. The initiative highlights how people across race, language, region and religion can come together through a tradition shared by many South Africans.

Whether it is called chisa nyama, braai or ukosa, the ingredients and traditions may differ, but the idea of gathering around a fire and preparing a feast remains a common thread. The National Braai Day declaration describes the initiative as a way of strengthening South Africa as a nation through nation-building and social cohesion.

So, how will you be spending Heritage Day?

Whether you are firing up the braai, spending time with family and friends or celebrating your culture in another way, we want to hear from you.

Send us your photos and a short description of how you spent the day via email to krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za.

• Sources: publicholidays.net.za, www.gov.za, www.braai.com