Ermelo - Music, dance and poetry, these are some of the activities that marked today's celebration as South Africans across the country marked national Heritage Day.
Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe addressed the main event in Ermelo, Mpumalanga where they emphasised the importance of heritage in nation building and cohesion.
From small towns to big cities, millions of South Africans also took the opportunity to gather around their braai stands to enjoy meat and boerewors as Heritage Day has now become known by many as "national braai day"
The Department of Arts and Culture has decided to focus this year's Heritage month activities on celebrating and honouring South Africa's struggle heroes who played a role in ensuring the country's freedom. These include icons such as former President Nelson Mandela, ANC stalwarts Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu as well as struggle veterans such as Robert Sobukwe and Steve Biko.
Speaking at Mpumalanga Stadium, Motlanthe told the thousands of people, who had braved the cold weather to celebrate the day, that South Africa as a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society to be aware of the "dangers of retreating into our ethnic or racial cocoons", which went against the goal of creating a united and prosperous nation.
He encouraged South Africans to use the day to promote their common culture while at the same time sharing an understanding that cultures should unite people as a nation.
"As we know part of celebrating this heritage involves identifying with particular spaces and places, thus building and preserving monuments, songs as well as dance that mark important historical occurrences," said Motlanthe.
Culture also required the preservation of those monuments that may cause others pain, but are nonetheless part of "who we are".
"It remains our key duty to address some of the glaring facets of racial, ethnic and socio-economic identities that still mar our socio-political landscape. And therefore we must heighten the struggle to liberate ourselves from the clutches of poverty, unemployment, inequality and unbalanced social relations.
"These challenges continue to undermine the process of social cohesion and often manifest themselves through racism, group marginalisation and pronounced ethnic chauvinism.
In addressing these challenges we must avoid the human frailties of elevating our personal passions above the common good for all South Africans".
South Africans needed to remember that there were people who could be comfortable with "conserving" the truths of yesterday and this should not be allowed to happen he said.
Meanwhile Mashatile said South Africans should use heritage day to promote national tourism and inclusivity.
The department and the National Heritage Council are in the process of identifying liberation heritage sites across the country which authorities say are important to South Africa's history of liberation. These liberation routes, according to Mashatile are meant to serve as a "monument" to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for the country's liberation. Among those that have been identified include, Robben Island, University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, Steve Biko House and Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia. -BuaNews
