Heritage Day: Ramaphosa calls

Photo: Rodger BOSCH / POOL / AFP.

Heritage Day: Ramaphosa calls on South Africans to do the ‘Jerusalema’ challenge

President Cyril Ramaphosa is calling on South Africans to celebrate Heritage Day by doing the ‘Jerusalema’ dance challenge.

Heritage Day: Ramaphosa calls

Photo: Rodger BOSCH / POOL / AFP.

Cyril Ramaphosa is challenging South Africans by calling on them to take part in the now-viral Jerusalema dance challenge this Heritage Day (Thursday, 24 September 2020).

A Heritage Day challenge

Since Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode’s hit went viral, various people from all over the world proceeded in taking part of the dance challenge.

“There can be no better way to celebrate our South Africans than joining the global phenomenon that is spreading across the world, and that is the Jerusalema dance challenge….the Jerusalema song that I love so much. So I urge all of you to take up this challenge on Heritage Day and show the world what we are capable of,” he said during his latest address to the nation in which he announced South Africa’s move to level 1 of the national lockdown.

A global frenzy

It is said that the South African DJ’s hit Jerusalema has taken the world by storm with more than 100 million views on YouTube and counting. The song, that was released in 2019, reached a new peak on the ‘Shazam global top 200’ earlier in June when the dance challenge hit the internet. Master KG later said he was incredibly proud of the success the song had garnered.

“I am so happy, it’s a dream come true for Jerusalema to be top four on Shazam global charts. I’ve always adored other artists being on the charts and now it’s my turn. It’s a really exciting moment.”

Apart from taking part in the dance challenge, Ramaphosa also said that South Africans should use this Heritage Day as family time, remember those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19, and “quietly rejoice” in the remarkable and diverse heritage of the nation.

Also read: Level 1: What can travellers expect when entering – and leaving – SA?

About Heritage Day

Heritage Day on 24 September recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of South Africa. 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.