Prison journalism: Heritage Day: Celebrating South Africa’s cultural diversity

Heritage Day is on 24 September. South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day.

The Significance of Heritage Day in Prison

I remember when I was detained in Pollsmoor. As inmates, we also celebrated this day. The difference between us inmates and people from outside was that we wouldn’t wear cultural clothes of our desire; we remained in our prison clothes. However, the prison management would organize people from outside to come and entertain us with cultural music. We would see them dressed in their cultural attire. This helped us as inmates to remember that even if you have stayed for a long time or if you are going to stay for a long time, you must not forget where you come from, which is symbolized by your culture. Xhosa people usually wear their cultural attire on Heritage Day, including beads. When I saw the people from outside on Heritage Day while I was in prison, I felt hope and was greatly motivated.

Heritage Day in September and Youth Day in June are important and beautiful days in prison because you are given enough time to refresh since there will be lots of activities happening. Personally, when I was in prison on Heritage Day, I had deep thoughts in my mind. I realized that coming to prison is not the heritage that I will keep or leave to my children because heritage is like a legacy. I vowed not to come to prison again.

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Shaka Day: The Historical Roots of Heritage Day

Now that I am outside, I have learned that Heritage Day on September 24 was previously known in South Africa as Shaka Day, a day commemorating the Zulu King Shaka. He was known for uniting the Zulu clan and forming the Zulu nation. Every year, South Africans would gather at his grave to honor him. However, I have also come to view Heritage Day as a day that unites people as they come together to celebrate different cultural diversity. It also helps us not to forget our ancestors and where they come from.

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DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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