Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Activities for children on Heritage Day
HERITAGE Day, September 24, was first celebrated in 1995, and was introduced to celebrate and reflect on the counry's great diversity of cultures.
It was around the time of the first Heritage Day that Desmond Tutu coined the term “Rainbow Nation”, to describe South Africa's many beautiful cultures.
There are a number of activities for children to learn and celebrate Heritage Day. You can celebrate by learning more about the country's different languages.
South Africa has 12 official languages, having recently added sign language. Try to cook a dish from a different culture. It's also an opportunity to taste traditional foods from different cultures.
Rewrite: People wear traditional clothing on Heritage Day to celebrate their cultures. This includes beautiful prints or embroidered fabrics. Elaborate beaded necklaces worn around the neck and beaded bracelets and anklets.
South Africa is home to eight Natural World Heritage Sites. These are places of cultural and historical importance. These sites offer a diversity and abundance of cultural and natural values that encapsulate the value systems of the country.
In the Western Cape, Robben Island is famous for the incarceration of political prisoners. By visiting the site, children will learn the history and the reason it is regarded as a heritage site.
The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world, and the 18th biodiversity hot spot in the world. Children can learn about the diversity of plants and animals such as fynbos; most notably the country's national flower – the king protea.