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Heritage Month during Covid19 and social distancing

1 to 30 September

Heritage Month is celebrated annually in September.

While respecting social distancing and working remotely when required, in an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the South African Embassy understands the difficulties surrounding a number of this year’s festivities. 

As COVID-19 spreads to an ever-growing segment of the global population, the top priority of every organization in this time of crisis is health.

The celebration ofHeritage Month recognises all aspects of South Africa’s culture which are both perceptible and imperceptible: This is our shared historical inheritance, language, South African cuisines and thecreative expression such as music and performances, as well as the popular memory.

Government calls on all South Africans to use Heritage Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation building and a shared national identity.

While still demonstrating our commitment to slowing the spread of the viruswe also urge the South African community inTurkey to please do the same. Furthermore, we encourage South Africans to participate in Heritage day celebrations and we would also ask them to be mindful and respectful of social distancing.

The celebration of Heritage Month supports the harmonious existence of all,though diverse we are in cultures we also intertwined in our varied cultures into our own unique South Africa. One of the direct challenges to the usual way of celebrating heritage month is that we might feel isolated and disconnected because we cannot be in close proximity of one another and we have to rely on virtual talks for socialization. However, when we work collectively there is inconceivable amount of value that can be unlocked.This Heritage month callson all South Africans to embrace and celebrate what was inherited or bequeathed to us by our forebears.

This month we appeal to all South Africans in Turkey to please, HELP US TELL YOUR STORY!

Celebrate with us, by showcasing your cultural heritage and food. Whether it is with traditional/cultural outfits, kante’s of even the good old fashioned sports jersey of any national team. Highlight your pride and love for what binds us all as South Africans, make a toast with a black label or castle while sharing in some “pap or wors”. By exposing and sharing your traditional and cultural values with fellow hosts (Turkish citizens) you will immediately become a cultural Diplomat and by so doing, you will be bringing Turkey closer to South Africa and South Africa closer to Turkey. Post your selfies and experiences using the hashtag #happyheritageSAinturkey

Please tag the South African Embassy on the following accounts: 

• Facebook @ "MzansiBuyuk" or "South African Embassy" page
• Twitter: SA_Embassy Ankara
• Instagram: saembassyankara

Please find below the highlights for this month;

• September: Heritage Month (South Africa)

Heritage Day on 24 September recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation. South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day.

• September: Tourism Month (South Africa)

Tourism Month is celebrated annually in September, and provides a heightened month-long focus on the importance of the sector to the South African economy.

Tourism Month features themed activities that are aligned to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) World Tourism Day Celebrations that take place annually on 27 September.

• 8 Sep: International Literacy Day

For over 40 years now, UNESCOhas been celebrating International Literacy Day by reminding the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation of all learning.

International Literacy Day 2020 focuses on “Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond,” especially on the role of educators and changing pedagogies. The theme highlights literacy learning in a lifelong learning perspective, and therefore, mainly focuses on youth and adults.

The recent Covid-19 crisis has been a stark reminder of the existing gap between policy discourse and reality: a gap that already existed in the pre-COVID-19 era and negatively affects the learning of youth and adults, who have no or low literacy skills, and therefore, tend to face multiple disadvantages.

During COVID-19, in many countries, adult literacy programmes were absent in the initial education response plans, so most adult literacy programmes that did exist were suspended, with just a few courses continuing virtually, through TV and radio, or in open air spaces

Literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world. However, literacy for all – children, youth and adults - is still an unaccomplished goal and an ever moving target.

• 15 Sep: International Day of Democracy

On 15 September, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and parliaments around the world celebrate the International Day of Democracy, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

In its resolution A/RES/62/7 establishing the International Day of Democracy, the United Nations noted that "while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy" and that "democracy does not belong to any country or region". The International Day of Democracy is meant both to celebrate democracy and to serve as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy is as urgent now as ever.

• 21 Sep: International Day of Peace

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67(link is external) of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982.

In 2001, the General Assembly by unanimous vote adopted resolution 55/282(link is external), which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

• 24 Sep: Heritage Day (South Africa)

Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on 24 September. On this day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

In more recent years, National Heritage Day has become synonymous with National Braai (Barbecue) Day. Some call it ShisaNyama or Ukosa, while others call it a braai, but whatever the occasion, nothing beats gathering around a wood fire to cook a meal and celebrate together.

Tshepo Ranamane
South African Embassy in Ankara, Turkey