Every year on September 24, South Africans celebrate the cultures and diversity that makes up the ‘Rainbow Nation’.
South Africans embrace the tastes, clothes, colours and cultures that make the country so diverse.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 24 September was originally known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the Zulu King, Shaka. Each year people gather at King Shaka’s grave to honor him on this day.
When the new government came into existence after Apartheid, the Public Holidays Bill presented to parliament did not have 24 September included on the list of proposed public holidays.
As a result of this exclusion, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) objected to the bill.
Parliament and the IFP then reached a compromise and the day was renamed Heritage Day and celebrated as a public holiday.
September 24 is also celebrated as National Braai Day.
People all around the country have a braai to honour the day.
