Creative ways to celebrate Heritage Day at the office or school

Picture: Getty Images/Tetiana Soars

Heritage Day is a beautiful time in South Africa to celebrate everyone’s roots, culture, and history. Beyond the famous braai, there are many ways to celebrate the rich cultural history the country has, even at school or the office.

Also see: Heritage Day braai salads to try with indigenous ingredients

With 11 official languages, which represent nine cultural tribes, there are contexts and lessons you can learn from and teach about each one.

Here are a few creative ways you can celebrate Heritage Day at the office and at school.

1. Fun facts flashcards

Pin a flashcard on your Heritage Day attire with one short, fun fact that most people don’t know about your culture. This is also a fun way to reconnect with your own culture, as some historical facts and traditions can get lost in the hustle and bustle of participating in the contemporary world.

2. DIY Heritage Day book hamper

This can be one big office hamper that everyone can participate in. Everyone can either suggest book titles or donate books that are in their language and about their culture. Colleagues can then choose to pull a random book that is not in their language nor about their culture.

This is a way for coworkers to immerse themselves in the worlds of cultures and customs that are different from theirs.

Also see: Thebe Magugu and Woolworths join forces for Heritage Day

3. Explore idioms and proverbs

Language is the most significant way of expressing the ideologies, philosophies, beliefs and traditions of any culture. Write down idioms and proverbs from your culture that are significant to you, or one that you have heard a thousand times growing up. Explain what it means to help shed insight into your heritage.

4. Language exchange corner

Here, colleagues can share one word that means something to them or that they find interesting in their language and share what it means. Not by simply translating the word into English, but by elaborating on what the word means, when it would usually be used, or how best to use it.

5. Dressing in cultural attire

This is the most famous way to celebrate one’s heritage in the country. Aside from traditional weddings, South Africans are rarely offered the opportunity to dress in indigenous attire.

Also see: Adorable toddlers in traditional attire steal hearts on Heritage Day