Heritage Day, which is also affectionately known as Braai day is a day in South Africa that recognises different aspects of culture and encourages South Africans across the spectrum to celebrate their cultural heritage, the diversity of their beliefs and different traditions. Heritage not only refers to historical inheritance, creative expression and food, but it also embraces the various languages that have become entrenched!

The first official Heritage Day in 1996 was marked with these words by Nelson Mandela:

“When our first democratically elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.

“We did so knowing that the struggles against the injustice and inequities of the past are part of our national identity; they are part of our culture. We knew that, if indeed our nation has to rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of division and conflict, we had to acknowledge those whose selfless efforts and talents were dedicated to this goal of non-racial democracy.”

At bOnline, we are proud of our different cultures and the diversity of our staff. Heritage day is celebrated annually on the 24th of September. To everyone celebrating, enjoy your Braai Day!