While South Africa commemorates Heritage Month in the month of September, 24th September is Heritage Day.

The origin of Heritage Day, in particular, goes back to the times the Zulus in South Africa celebrated Shaka Zulu, the legendary Zulu king, who played an important role in uniting Zulu clans. Each year people would gather at king Shaka’s grave to honour him on this day.

It was until 1995 that it was argued in the South African Parliament to change this day to a national heritage day in-order to accommodate everybody in the country. From then to date, South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa.