Cultural Heritage Day is September 24th. South Africans celebrate this day by remembering the cultural heritage of the various cultures that make up South Africa's population. Various events are held across the country to commemorate this day.
Significance of Cultural Heritage Day in Prisons
I remember being detained at Pollsmoor. We inmates also celebrated this day. The difference between us inmates and those on the outside was that we didn't wear the cultural clothing we wanted. We were still wearing our prison uniforms. However, the prison administration organized people from outside to entertain us with cultural music. We saw them wearing cultural costumes. This reminded us inmates that even if we stay for a long time, or even if we will stay for a long time in the future, we must never forget where we came from, which is symbolized by our culture. Xhosa people usually wear cultural costumes that include beads on heritage days. While I was in prison, I felt hope and great motivation when I saw people from outside on Heritage Day.
Heritage Day in September and Youth Day in June are important and beautiful days in prisons, as they involve a lot of activities and provide plenty of refreshment time. When I myself was in prison on Cultural Heritage Day, I had a deep thought in my heart. I realized that coming to prison was not a legacy I would keep or leave to my children, because a legacy is like a legacy. I swore I would never go to jail again.
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Buddha's Day: Historical Roots of Cultural Heritage Day
Now that I'm out, I've learned that Heritage Day, September 24th, was previously known in South Africa as Shaka Day, a day commemorating the Zulu King Shaka. He is known for unifying the Zulus and forming the Zulu nation. Every year, South Africans gathered at his grave to honor him. But I've also come to think of Heritage Day as a day when people come together and unite to celebrate the diversity of different cultures. It also helps us not to forget our ancestors and where they came from.
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