7 Ideas for Celebrating Heritage Month as a Proud South African

Spring has arrived and South Africans are enjoying another long weekend with this year’s Heritage Day falling on Friday, 24 September. Here are some brilliant ideas on how to enjoy South Africa and get rejuvenated to help you make it through to the end of the year.

The question is, where is a great place to holiday if you’re keen to celebrate your heritage and feel heart-warmingly and proudly South African? Here are a few places in Mzansi to inspire you before you spring into action and make a booking!

1. Marvel at our South Africa’s natural beauty at iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KZN

Stretching across a whopping 240 000 hectares, making it the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa, and known for its unique interlinking ecosystems, KZN’s breath-taking iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a true hub for nature lovers from far and wide.

There are so many exciting activities to keep you busy, regardless of whether you’re travelling solo, with your partner, or with the whole family in tow. Go horse-riding across the rolling sand dunes, scope out the wondrous wildlife in the wetlands or on the beach, or hike your way through the thriving, dense coastal forests. Other memorable activities include guided game drives, scuba diving, turtle tours, kayaking, bird watching, deep-sea fishing, and scenic estuary boat cruises.

“When you travel to KZN with your sights set on iSimangaliso Wetland Park, you’ll undoubtedly want to make the most of every moment,” says Sharmila Ragunanan, Group Marketing Executive for Dream Hotels & Resorts. “Nibela Lake Lodge is the ideal, off the beaten path retreat. The lodge is literally on the edge of this magnificent World Heritage Site, promising jaw-dropping views over the St Lucia estuary for the duration of your stay. Plus, there’s now a ferry option from False Bay to Nibela Lake Lodge, cutting travel time to the lodge by over an hour. Guests can also book cruises to birding hotspots.”

2. Uncover the mysteries of Robben Island in the Western Cape

Considering that the late, great Nelson Mandela has been deemed the father of our nation, it makes sense to feel a pull to explore the place where he spent many of the most important years of his life. Plus, beautiful Robben Island itself has sported the title of World Heritage Site since the late 1990s.

The island lies approximately 9 kilometres off Cape Town’s sandy shores and it’s where President Mandela served 18 of the total 27 years that he spent in prison. It’s possible to book guided tours where knowledgeable experts will take you through Nelson Mandela’s time on the island, his vision for equality in South Africa, as well as allow you to visit his cell, which remains untouched since his release in 1990.

3. Explore the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng

Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind is the spot where the origins of humankind linger. Here, adventurous travellers have the chance to explore the Sterkfontein Caves and marvel at the many incredible finds sourced from these caves at the adjacent interactive Maropeng Visitors’ Centre. These finds include “Little Foot,” a hominid skeleton and “Mrs Ples,” the skull of an Australopithecus africanus.

It’s a great idea to combine a visit to the Cradle of Humankind with a laid-back safari experience at a nearby game reserve, such as Mount Savannah Game Reserve, which extends across 2 000 hectares and offers an unfenced wildlife adventure amongst zebra, buffalo, kudu, giraffe, gemsbok, and more.

4. Road-trip along the Panorama Route and make a stop-off in Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga

Why not celebrate Heritage Day this weekend with a good, old-fashioned road trip? If you’re after your fair share of unbelievable views along the way, then Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route should always be your go-to. You’ll enjoy countless stunning mountain passes and waterfalls, as well as jaw-dropping vistas of the sprawling lowveld.

The popular road trip route is home to the famous Blyde River Canyon, the viewing spot known as God’s Window, and the tiny museum town and gold mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest. The town itself is a protected provincial heritage site and a true hidden gem that whisks curious South Africans (and international travellers, of course) back to the days of the Transvaal Gold Rush. 19^th century dress is optional although you’ll certainly look the part!

5. Hiking through Maloti-Drakensberg Park in KZN

The Drakensberg is every hiker’s dream, and there are countless ways in which to explore this enchanting escarpment. You could settle down at a resort right at the foot of the mountains, like the charming alpine Little Switzerland Resort, or you could make a plan to hike your way through Maloti-Drakensberg Park.

This park comprises both the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park in South Africa and the Sehlathebe National Park in Lesotho, promising a unique diversity of birdlife, wildlife, and natural habitats. So, pack the sunscreen, load up your satchel with padkos, and select your trail. There are plenty to choose from, each of which is suited to hikers of varying levels of experience.

There’s another opportunity to celebrate your heritage during your visit, and that’s by admiring the multitude of San rock art within the park, dating back some 4 000 years. There are just over 600 individual rock art sites to discover.

If all else fails and you’re unable to make it to any of the heritage-focused sites as highlighted above, you can’t go wrong by simply firing up the braai somewhere blissful … preferably in the bushveld! After all, spring’s warmer weather makes for the perfect excuse to get outdoors and appreciate the very best that our country has to offer – raw, untouched nature, heavenly sunshine, and plenty of juicy boerie rolls to go around.

If you live locally or abroad:

6. Celebrate SA’s Heritage Day with Showmax!

Showmax International has a ton of SA movies and TV shows that expats abroad can watch in most countries and celebrate the fascinating stories about the land and the people we all love.

7. Don’t Miss SAPeople’s Podcast

To celebrate South Africa every week, not just during Heritage Month – subscribe to SAPeople’s podcast for all the GOOD news about SA and its people.

P.S. You could also try cook your way through SAPeople’s fabulous South African recipes from Bobotie to Bunny Show and everything in between! Here’s a list of SA recipes for Heritage Day could start with.