The South African government closed Heritage Month 2026 with a call for institutions and communities to work together to protect the country’s living heritage, recognising its diverse histories, languages and traditions. The main national Heritage Day celebrations were held on 24 September 2026 at Bongolethu Sports Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, where President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address.
Heritage Day, an annual observance on 24 September, was marked this year under the theme “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.” The government emphasised living heritage as a crucial part of national unity, social cohesion, Ubuntu and a shared sense of belonging. The event drew up to 5,000 attendees, with free entry encouraging wide participation.
President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of preserving heritage in all its forms, saying during his address, “We must record it. We must teach it. We must practice it. And above all, we must pass it on.” His remarks underlined the government’s approach to heritage not just as monuments or museums but as languages, oral histories, rituals, crafts, faith practices, music and community memory that remain vibrant and evolving.
Michael Currin, Deputy Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), echoed this sentiment. Speaking about Heritage Day, he said, “Heritage Day is a reminder that South Africa’s diversity is not a source of division, but a foundation for unity, social cohesion and nation-building.”
The National Heritage Council’s Programmes Manager, Amos Mulaudzi, urged people to use indigenous languages daily and involve elders in sharing living-tradition knowledge. “It’s a simple thing that people have forgotten: using our languages,” he said, emphasizing their vital role in preserving culture and heritage.
Community media were highlighted as essential custodians of heritage. According to SAnews, these local outlets help preserve heritage by documenting histories, amplifying indigenous languages, and passing knowledge across generations. However, Shoeshoe Qhu, CEO of the Media Development and Diversity Agency, cautioned that “there is a great deal of work to be done. Preserving this knowledge cannot be left solely to community media.”
Heritage belongs to every South African, noted Nkosi Langa Mavuso, Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, reinforcing the message that preserving heritage is a collective responsibility.
This year’s event in Oudtshoorn reinforced the legal and policy frameworks supporting heritage management through the National Heritage Resources Act. It also pointed to an expanding view of heritage that embraces living cultural expressions, reinforcing social cohesion and a shared national identity. The government’s efforts highlight the roles education, museums, archives, and media play alongside communities in safeguarding South Africa’s rich and diverse living heritage.
As Heritage Month 2026 concludes, the question remains on how institutions and communities nationwide will sustain their commitment to protect these traditions and how government programmes will expand support beyond heritage month activities. CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor official updates and community initiatives that aim to strengthen these ties.