Gauteng is a province alive with colour, culture, and
complexity. While we face unpredictable challenges tied to lawlessness, we
remain steadfast in our commitment to building a Gauteng where every citizen
feels safe and included. September offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect,
and celebrate that very diversity. The Department of Community Safety observes
Heritage Month as a time to reflect on and carry forward the spirit of unity in
diversity.
On 24 September, South Africans will take a moment to mark
Heritage Day. It is more than a public holiday; it is a reminder of the
richness of our nation, shaped by countless contributions from different
communities. The essence of this day is both personal and collective: to
reflect on our culture, traditions, and history, while embracing the heritage
of others. In a country where division was once deliberately fostered,
particularly during the painful years of Apartheid, Heritage Day challenges us
to choose understanding over ignorance, education over prejudice, and unity
over separation.
Education is indeed the first step towards greater
inclusion. Whether it is through literature, podcasts, or films, immersing
ourselves in stories that showcase South African cultures beyond our own
broadens our perspective. Such engagement allows us to see beyond the symbols
of food, clothing, or faith, and to recognise the shared aspirations, sorrows,
and joys that connect us as people. This is how we nurture a truly inclusive
society, by teaching not only ourselves, but also our children, to value and respect
the beauty of other heritages.
Living heritage is found in the small, everyday gestures we
share. Why not enrich our lives by telling bedtime stories with characters from
different communities, tasting traditional meals from a colleague’s culture, or
learning greetings in new languages? These practices, passed down from generation
to generation and adapted over time, form the tapestry of our personal, group,
and national identities. They remind us that heritage is not static, but alive,
evolving, and deeply human.
Heritage Month is more than commemoration; it is an act of
participation. Together, let us honour the past, celebrate the present, and
build a future where our diversity is embraced as a source of strength for both
Gauteng and our Department. This is what we call living heritage.