The Executive Mayor, Cllr Geoff Makhubo says Joburg’s heritage is its multiculturalism, which is rooted in the principles of Ubuntu.
Cllr Makhubo notes that heritage day is an opportune moment for residents of Johannesburg to reflect on the dreams and aspirations of its founders, whose legacy needs to be carried forward.
He says the national holiday, also known as Braai Day, challenges people to probe how they are adding to the country’s rich historical heritage and what legacy they’re crafting for future generations.
“Heritage day recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of the nation. It is a day to celebrate and remember the heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of Johannesburg,” says the Mayor.
Cllr Makhubo adds that Johannesburg epitomises the promise enshrined in the Freedom Charter that South Africa belongs to all who live in it and that's its heritage.
Celebrated annually on 24 September, Heritage Day was created in 1996 to recognise aspects of the country’s cultural heritage, including its creative expression, historical inheritance, languages and cuisine.
The day's events are a powerful agent for promulgating a common South African identity, fostering reconciliation and promoting the notion that variety is a national asset as opposed to igniting conflict.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “Celebrating South Africa’s living human treasures”.
“As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in South Africa and in the world, we celebrate and embrace our rich multicultural heritage rooted in the principles of Ubuntu,” Cllr Makhubo says.
South Africa is endowed with a rich historical, cultural and natural heritage, which encompasses historical monuments, wildlife and scenic parks, sites of scientific importance, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections.
“As the City, we celebrate the day by embracing the rich multicultural and vibrant make-up of Johannesburg,” he adds.
In addition, activists, non-governmental organisations, academics and social formations have thrown their weight behind the City’s efforts to establish its own Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM).
Nationally, the MRM was set up in 2002 as a broad partnership between the government, civil society and business to facilitate collective activism against the escalating moral decay or anti-social behaviour in society.
Johannesburg has been suggested as best placed to lead the moral revival, which will focus on building and strengthening the family, developing and nurturing ethical leadership, combating crime and corruption, and promoting good social values, education and gender transformation.
