Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on South Africans to reconnect with their roots and actively preserve the nation’s heritage during Heritage Day celebrations at Bridgeton Sports Grounds in the Western Cape. This year’s Heritage Day is observed under the theme, “Reimagine our heritage institutions for a new era.”
Heritage as a Foundation for Unity and Growth
Mashatile highlighted that all citizens, regardless of cultural background, have a responsibility to promote and safeguard heritage. Heritage institutions play a key role in nurturing cultural identity, fostering social cohesion, and creating economic opportunities, particularly in tourism and the arts.
He stressed that these institutions serve as a bridge between the past and present, helping people understand their roots while laying a foundation for the future. As South Africa enters a new era, Mashatile emphasised the need to re-evaluate and reinvent heritage institutions to ensure they remain relevant, inclusive, and accessible.
Heritage, Nationhood, and Resilience
According to Mashatile, heritage embodies the nation’s identity and the resilience of a people united in diversity. He noted that museums and cultural institutions should be dynamic and responsive to societal changes, strengthening democracy, mutual respect, and human rights. Ensuring these institutions meet the needs of communities across racial and cultural divides is central to fostering a cohesive society.
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