Heritage Day or National Braai Day?

 

Today is the day that most South Africans will be braaing all day long and what perfect weather for it too!

But why is today actually a public holiday? Why is it so special? It can't be just so we can spend the day outside braaing, surely not.

The 24th of September used to be known as Shaka Day in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) to commemorate Shaka Zulu because it is presumed that he died on this day in 1828. Shaka Zulu was important for various reasons, most of all, and the reason for the celebration is that he united the Zulu clans into the Zulu Nation when he was alive. If you don't know anything about Shaka Zulu, time to educate yourself.

In 1996, the 24th of September was not part of the full public holiday list proposed for the new post-Apartheid South Africa until the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) raised this as a concern. Instead of Shaka Day, a compromise was reached so that the title would be Heritage Day so that South Africa's rainbow nation of cultures could be celebrated. If any of you need to know who to thank for the public holiday, it's the IFP and KZN, you're welcome.

Several events take place on the day to celebrate various heritages and historical events that made the country what it is today. Mostly family and friends get together around the braai.

National Braai Day is a relatively new concept that came about via a media campaign. It was started in 2005 by the gentlemen known as Jan Braai. By 5 September 2007, the concept saw support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He stated that he saw it as a unifying force within a divided country.

By 2008, South Africa's Heritage Council endorsed the initiative and the rest is history. Except it shouldn't be, we shouldn't forget why we celebrate it and why it exists. Even if you choose to ignore its Shaka Day roots, it's important to remember why it is Heritage Day and celebrate that.

Tamils across the world fast during this time for Purtassi( I will cover this in more detail in another blog) meaning that we don't eat meat and partake in alcohol. This is not an issue at all and definitely doesn't stop Tamils from enjoying braai day by replacing meat with veggies and or soya as well as enjoying the day with family and friends. The only reason I bring it up is that because it's Braai Day, it is assumed that without meat and alcohol we are missing out. Some Tamils feel the same and this could be the case for other cultures in South Africa.

I don't feel like I am missing out, I choose to fast, I am married to someone that braais every week anyway and I think of the day as a celebration of all South Africans. A day to celebrate being born in this country, all the sacrifices my parents made to ensure my bright future and the various cultures in the rainbow nation I call home.

Let's not forget that. 

Cheers to all South Africans around the world, a nation united by the braai.



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