SOUTH AFRICA — As the nation reflects on the recent Heritage Month commemorations, the National Heritage Council (NHC) is urging citizens to prioritize the daily use of indigenous languages vital to preserving culture and heritage across South Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during a dialogue titled “South Africa’s Heritage as a Key Milestone: Institutions and Society,” NHC Programmes Manager Amos Mulaudzi highlighted storytelling as a foundational tool for cultural survival. While acknowledging the benefits of digital advancement, Mulaudzi stressed the importance of returning to foundational practices and respecting the sacred nature of traditional customs.
Mulaudzi called for a transformation of the country’s heritage landscape by reconnecting communities with oral traditions and indigenous knowledge systems. He emphasized that these historical narratives must be critically contextualized to remain relevant in modern society.
“It’s a simple thing that people have forgotten: using our languages,” Mulaudzi stated. He urged citizens to embrace the tradition of gathering to listen to educational stories, noting that the rise of digital technology should not erase cultural identity. Instead, he advocated for adapting indigenous knowledge systems to drive modern innovation and creativity.
The dialogue formed a central part of the Heritage Month commemorations, leading up to the annual Heritage Day observance on 24 September. This year’s celebrations were guided by the theme: “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.”
A major focal point of Mulaudzi’s address was the integration of heritage into the national school curriculum, arguing that it is central to the country’s identity. While technology offers unprecedented opportunities to reach broader communities, he warned that it must be utilized responsibly.
“There are things within living traditions that are sacred,” Mulaudzi explained, noting that certain aspects of living traditions are restricted. He stressed that sharing such knowledge requires engaging with elders and seeking their explicit consent. According to Mulaudzi, the true beauty of living heritage lies in its sacredness, and elders must be actively involved in heritage management decisions to ensure they are properly honoured and acknowledged.
Also contributing to the dialogue was Kara Heritage Institute Executive Director Dr Mathole Motshekga, who emphasized the critical need for citizens to understand their origins and the heritage that shapes their identity.
Motshekga urged South Africans to recognize Africa’s distinct place and contribution on the global stage. Rejecting external cultural dependencies, he asserted, “We are an African people on the southern tip of the continent. We are not an outpost of Arabia, or Europe, or Asia.”
To solidify this identity, Dr Motshekga advocated for the teaching of African spirituality in educational spaces, describing it as a vital exposition of the continent’s true origins and a cornerstone of the nation’s living heritage.