24th September is National Heritage Day, one of the most important South African holidays. On this day, South Africans celebrate their cultural heritage. According to the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, this includes “aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and difficult to pin down: creative expression, our historical inheritance, language, the food we eat as well as the land in which we live” (1996). The Department also announced, that within a broader social and political context, the holiday should be an agent to “promulgating a South African identity, fostering reconciliation and promoting the notion that variety is a national asset.” So far, so undefined.

Mix-and-Match instead of mainstream culture

Whereas in Germany (the author’s native background) people can at least agree on one language (German), one national anthem (Unity and Justice and Freedom), one national poet (Goethe) and one national sport (football), in South Africa there is juxtaposition – sometimes combining, sometimes conflicting – of cultural imprints:

• There are eleven official languages: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu.
• The national anthem combines two melodically vastly different songs: the somewhat solemn Christian hymn ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika‘(God, bless Africa), and the march-like Afrikaans song „Die Stem van Suid-Afrika‘ (The Call of South Africa). It is sung in five different languages, the lingo changing between verses and sometimes even between individual lines.
• There is not one South African national writer or poet, and not one literary canon, there are several. Every ethnical group has their own writers, poets and story tellers. In addition, oral narratives and traditions still play an important role - sometimes more important than the written word.
• At long last, there is the unifying power of sport. South Africa has three national sports: rugby, football and cricket. However, international wins, like the Ruby World Cup Championship in 2019, stipulate a bout of national pride throughout the country.

Indeed, in a country with a population as diverse as that of South Africa, any effort to define a leading or mainstream culture is inevitably doomed to failure. In point of fact, any such attempt would undoubtedly carry the risk of not bridging, but deepening the gulf left behind by colonial rule, apartheid and racial segregation. But there is one exception.

The Heritage Day is a perfect example for successful holiday framing

Heritage Day itself is proof to the fact that with a lot of good will, a bit of political pressure and a large dose of re-framing the historical heritage of one population group can be turned into the cultural property of an entire nation. Heritage Day has its origin in “Shaka Day”, honouring Shaka Zulu, the legendary King of the Zulus. During the time of his reign in the late 18th and early 19th century, the hitherto small clan of the Zulus rose to be one of the most powerful people on the African continent. On 24th September 1828, Shaka Zulu fell victim to an assassination plot. His death anniversary was and still is one of the most important commemoration days for the Zulu people. Consequently, when the South African government did not include Shaka Day in the list of holidays for the “New South Africa” in 1996, they caused an uproar of criticism and political protest.

In other words: South Africans today owe this holiday to a royal leader, who was famous for his outstanding strategic and military skills, and for incorporating other clans into his Zulu empire, thereby growing it and making it stronger. Leaving aside the martial background, history may still hold a lesson for present-day South Africa: Growth through integration, strength through diversity, unity through inclusion.

Holiday rites, or: The unifying power of the braai

Despite all diversity, there is one cultural aspect that unites the entire South African population: the braai. The South African version of a barbeque is popular throughout all societal groups and classes. For once, it does not matter whether the individual culinary taste favours boerewors (Afrikaans for farmer’s sausage), springbok, lamb, steak, chicken or hamburger. On balconies, patios, in gardens, on the street or on one of the many public “braaistands” (barbeque stations) the fires will be lit, and many hours will be spend braaiing, eating, celebrating – and not just on Heritage Day.

“There is not one person in South Africa who can say they have never been to a braai”. With these words, Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu confirmed the unifying power of the grilled sausage – and accepted the title of the Patron of Braai Day. He also noted that “braai” is the only word that is recognised in all eleven national languages. Thus, it seems more than appropriate that National Braai Day is also and not coincidentally celebrated on 24th September. Since 2008, it is also recognised by the South African Heritage Council, which aims at protecting and preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage.

However, there are critics, who protest against equating cultural heritage with flame grilling. They are concerned that the people of South Africa may forget their history and the relevance of the Heritage Day. Criticism, diversity of opinion and protests have always been a part of the national heritage of this county. Without them South Africa would not be South Africa. So no cause for concern, really.

Happy National Heritage / Braai Day .

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Photo by Jacob Owens on Unsplash