#HERITAGE_MONTH

Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on 24 September. On this day, South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

Former SA President Nelson Mandela concisely explained it when he said the following in a Heritage Day speech "when our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day on of our national days,we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation"

Each year  on Heritage Day,24 September,South African dig deep to their wardrobes and fish out their traditional attire to celebrate unity in diversity.Some citizens,however,see this as a day to meet together with friends and undertake what has become a unique South African tradition.It was formally known as Shaka Day before 1995.The day gives South Africans a chance to pause and take stock how their diversity can contribute to building a better South Africa.There are different ways that South African have come to celebrate Heritage Day.Some wear traditional attire at work-usually on the day before Heritage Day-and some gather at stadiums for a day of celebrations which includes music,dance and speeches by local leaders.





Tsonga women adorn their familiar Xibelani attire,a waist-high skirt made of metres of cloth;married Zulu women wear skirts made of cow hide called Izidwaba;Venda women parade in their colorful skirts called Minweda;and Xhosa women distinguish themselves themselves with their beautifully pained faces and head gear.