Famously known by many as the rainbow nation, South Africa prides itself on being a culturally rich country that is home to people from all walks of life.
It is here that black, white, coloured and Indian share a common love for the journey travelled in the past that contributed to the milestones we have reached together. Our differences are what makes us unique and our commitment to seeing our country excel is what gives us hope.
This September, the nation will be celebrating the past and our history on a day nationally observed as Heritage Day.
As per the South African government website, “Heritage Day on 24th September recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation. South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of many cultures that make up the population of South Africa.”
With the day officially being a public holiday, there is no better way to celebrate our country’s history than by becoming familiar with the history of this beautiful place we call home.
If you are in Cape Town there are several cultural museums you can visit to gain more insights into South Africa’s history.
District Six museum
This museum located in the community of District Six carries a lot of historical significance. It is here that the Cape Malay coloureds were forcefully removed, and homes were bulldozed as a way of separating different races from one another during the apartheid era.
Visiting this museum will equip you with a wealth of knowledge about what took place during those days.
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Castle of Good Hope
Located in the Cape Town CBD is the Castle of Good Hope, a 358-year-old building described by many as being the oldest building in South Africa. This is a former army base, and slave port during the colonial era. After decades of existence, it is now considered a National Heritage site where visitors can explore the history of the city as well as the inhabitants of that time.
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Robben Island
Perhaps the most famous of all is Robben Island, an offshore prison where South Africa’s first democratic president Nelson Mandela was detained. The prison is known for being a political prison during the apartheid regime. The late Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life on the Island.
In your visit to the Island, you will be educated on all that prisoners endured during that time as well as visit the cell of the former freedom fighter.
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Also see: Celebs celebrate Heritage Day
