Heritage Month, observed in September, affirms South Africa’s commitment to preserving and promoting its diverse cultural heritage for nation-building, social cohesion and sustainable development.

It encourages reflection, celebrates cultural diversity and strengthens belonging rooted in dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism and Ubuntu.

In 2026, Heritage Month is commemorated under the theme: “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.” It highlights living heritage as a dynamic expression of identity, memory and belonging through languages, music, dance, rituals, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, craftsmanship, beliefs and customs.

The Heritage Day event is scheduled to be hosted in KwaZulu-Natal on 24 September 2026 coinciding with Umkhosi weLembe (King Shaka’s commemoration).

The theme embraces our country’s constitutional diversity and the restoration of human dignity. It positions heritage as a living resource for unity, social cohesion, and shared identity, while recognising the histories, cultures, struggles, and aspirations that connect people across the country.

Wishing all South Africans in Switzerland a wonderful Heritage Month

The Embassy of South Africa in Berne, Switzerland