25/09/2023
🇿🇦South Africa celebrates Heritage Day today, a day we commemorate by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa.
🕰️ Let’s rewind to the origins of this day.
🛡️Initially known as Shaka’s Day, this holiday paid homage to the legendary King Shaka Zulu ka Senzangakhona, a visionary leader. It was a day to honor his legacy, bravery, and the Zulu culture on the presumed date of his death on this date in 1828. Shaka played a pivotal role in uniting the disparate Zulu clans into one cohesive, powerful nation. Slide 1 shows an artist’s impression of what King Shaka would have looked like.
🌍 In 1996, South Africa’s new democratically elected government, with Nelson Mandela as its first Black President, transformed Shaka’s Day into Heritage Day, a day to embrace and cherish the diverse tapestry of cultures that make up our rainbow nation. 🌈🎉 It’s a day to share stories, traditions, and, of course for us as Zulus, our love for all things Zulu.
Slide 2 is a picture of King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, the reigning King of the Zulu Nation. King Misuzulu is the third-oldest surviving son of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, and Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. King Misuzulu became heir presumptive after the death of his father in March 2021.
Happy Heritage Day!
