HERITAGE DAY

 

Picture: Heritage day around SA
Source: www.sabcnews.com


WHAT IS HERITAGE DAY?

Heritage day is one of the newly created Public holiday in South Africa to celebrate our diverse cultures, traditions and beliefs. Heritage does not only mean our historical inheritance, creative expression and food but also embraces our various languages that have been entrenched in our cultural millieu. 

WHY IS HERITAGE DAY IMPORTANT?

Heritage is important because:

• It reinforces the synergy between language and culture.
• Recognises the different aspects of South African Culture.
• Encourages South Africans all over the spectrum to celebrate their cultural heritage, the diversity of their beliefs as well as their different traditions.
• To know our roots and where we are going.

HOW DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE THEIR HERITAGE?

• People get dressed in their traditional attires.
• They visit our heritage sites such as the museum.
• For others it is a day for a Braai or even a get together where people cook their traditional dishes and have a feast.

DID YOU KNOW?

That the 24th of September was known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the Zulu King Shaka.

READING AS A CULTURE

The National Book Week is a platform through which government, the book sector, media and civil society establish a partnership for making reading a culture. And with its call to action "READ A BOOK, SHARE A BOOK", the National Book Week will engage in reading activities for the young and the old. The activies include story telling, book clubs, puppet shows and book debates.

This initiave brought to you by the Department of Arts and Culture will play an important role in contributing to job creation, poverty reduction as well as skils development.



Picture: National Book Week flyer 2012
www.sabookcouncil.co.za


Minister of Arts and Culture Paul  Mashatile says that people

make reading a hobby which is why he says " I like this thing

of book clubs, because in the next few years we must get rid

of illiteracy in our countrry to ensure that everybody can read

and write."



THE KEY OBJECTIVES TO THE NATIONAL BOOK WEEK ARE: 

1. Promoting reading as part of South Africa's development.

2. Celebrating books as an instrument for reading, culture, heritage and economic progress.

3. Celebrating local literature.

4.Creating National awareness via various media channels.

5. Establishing and maintaining a book donation programme for schools and libraries.

6. Showcasing South African and African writers, publishers, book sellers and related businesses.

EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS SO BE SMART AND HELP REDUCE ILLITERACY IN OUR COUNTRY!