The month of September is celebrated in South Africa as heritage month. This month is set apart to foster social cohesion, nation building and a shared national identity by South Africans. For a nation that is hailed as a rainbow nation, it is inevitable that South Africans should celebrate their heritage. A cursory look at the term “heritage” reveals a common theme in all definitions, which is “heritable possession”. Heritage is tangible (perhaps a more fitting description is that “it can be seen”). The people of South Africa belong to cultures that are uniquely rich and diverse. These cultures are dispersed throughout our vast country.
The preamble to our constitution asserts, amongst others, that “we, the people of South Africa… Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.” Considering all the foregoing, September is a time to celebrate a defined objective by all South Africans, that is, our heritage. We each have an inherited possession which makes us who we are. The possession is our different cultures and how we identify ourselves.
September is not a time for reflection or dialogue or debate (although the aforementioned concepts should be integral to all national issues). September is earmarked for South Africans to celebrate their diversity. In the pursuit of building a nation of diverse people, South Africans recognise that it is possible to be united even when you are different. Such a fundamental realisation must be guarded and celebrated. It may well be that future generations of South Africans will regard the celebration of their diversity as their actual inheritance from the generation that established heritage month.
When Nelson Mandela said “Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld, a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world” I do not doubt that he had a genuine believe that South Africans are capable of building a nation that is united in its diversity. This was a clarion call on South Africans to realise the reality of their diversity and the commonality in their purpose of building a nation at peace with itself and the world. While the work of building a nation continues, it is a mammoth task. Let us not forget to celebrate who we are and strive to be united in our diversity.
Happy Heritage Month.
Joseph Leotlela | Director
KVV Inc Attorneys
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