Heritage Day is a South African public holiday that is celebrated on September 24, which happens to be today.

South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs / traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

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This day is also known as Braai Day or National Braai Day, which brings many South Africans together around fires to cook meat.

Being Heritage Day, here are some facts you should know:

• Africans make up 79% of South Africa’s population, while 9% are coloured, 9% are white, and Indians / Asians account for 2.5%. 0.5% classify themselves as ‘other’.
• As of 1997, South Africa recognises 11 official languages and gives all of them equal status.
• Before 1995, when the date was made a national public holiday, it was known as Shaka Day in KwaZulu-Natal to commemorate the legendary Zulu King Shaka who was instrumental in bringing different Zulu clans together to form the Zulu nation.
• The day was renamed Heritage Day under the post-apartheid government.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Ladysmith Gazette, a sold newspaper distributed in the Ladysmith area.

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