Heritage Day Celebrations
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will commemorate Heritage Day through a series of activities that are aimed at fostering social cohesion in our communities as well as recognising and celebrating the cultural wealth of our nation.
In general, South Africans commemorate this day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures and traditions that make up the diverse population of our country. Heritage Day was first celebrated on 24 September 1994 and for the past six years, the Free State Provincial Government has celebrated this day in Ficksburg with music and dance performed by artist from all diverse groups of South Africa but continues to align the celebrations with the national theme.
This year, the department will commemorate Heritage Day under the theme: “Celebrating Human Treasures by asserting our African Identity.”
Through Heritage Day celebrations, the department aims to promote heritage landscape transformation of the Free State Province, reaffirm the significance of our heritage as part of our national identity, and promote unity and diversity among all of South African society.
To ensure that this event is inclusive and it succeeds, the department has partnered with the following stakeholders:
1. Free State House of Traditional Leaders.
2. Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality.
3. Setsoto Local Municipality
4. Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (FSPHRA)
5. Lesedi FM
6. Traditional Healers
7. Cultural Formations
8. Religious Groups and many more.
The program of activities to celebrate this year’s Heritage Day is as follows:
1. Social Cohesion workshop on 20 September 2016 in Welkom
2. Social Cohesion workshop on 21 September 2016 in Heilbron
3. Social Cohesion workshop on 22 September 2016 in Sasolburg
4. Social Cohesion workshop on 23 September 2016 in Ficksburg
5. Heritage Day Mass Mobilisation on 24 September 2016 in Ficksburg
All of the above activities will culminate to the main Heritage Day celebration that will be hosted as follows:
Date: Sunday, 25 September 2016
Time: 9h00
Venue: Ficksburg Showgrounds
“The celebration of days like Heritage Day endeavor to deliver cultural values, create a sense of belonging and honor those who shaped our history. The Department also seeks to create awareness through educational programmes, dialogues and public engagements on the importance of Heritage as well as promoting heritage tourism through excursions,” said MEC Mathabo Leeto.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Director: Communication and IT
Cell: 082 940 2392
Tel: 051 – 4104742/4786/4719
Email: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
