Mavuso tells Heritage Day crowd that culture must pay its way

Heritage must be turned into work for the people who carry it, the deputy chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders said at the country’s national Heritage Day celebrations in Oudtshoorn on Thursday.

Nkosi Langa Mavuso told the crowd at the Bongolethu Sport Stadium that heritage is often reduced to traditional attire, music, food, dance and ceremonies, but that it extends far beyond those visible expressions of culture.

“It lives in our languages and place names, in clan histories and family histories, in sacred sites and graves, in indigenous farming and healing knowledge, in customary law, and in the values through which our communities cared for children and women, settled disputes and supported neighbours in times of need,” he said.

Mavuso used the platform, held ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, to call for oral histories to be recorded, indigenous languages revitalised, sacred places protected and Khoi and San communities given meaningful participation in the decisions that affect their heritage. He also called for greater support for community museums and cultural centres, and for young people to be trained as heritage guides and archivists.

On the economic side, he named music, film, publishing, fashion, craft, cuisine, tourism and digital content as sectors that can support livelihoods, and said the National House is calling for partnerships that can turn cultural wealth into dignified local development.

Mavuso anchored the argument in the Constitution, pointing to Sections 30 and 31, which provide for the right to use a language and to take part in the cultural life of one’s choice, and for cultural, religious and linguistic communities to enjoy their culture together.

“These provisions must be viewed alongside the Constitution’s recognition of the institution, status and role of traditional leadership,” he said. “These provisions belong together. They affirm that cultural identity and democratic citizenship can and must strengthen one another.”

He framed the day’s obligation as one that runs forward rather than backward. “Our responsibility is not merely to preserve the past,” he said. “It is to carry forward what gives life, dignity and meaning, to correct what causes harm and to create a heritage that future generations can be proud of.”

Oudtshoorn mayor Jan van der Ross said the national theme, “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us”, recognises that heritage does not live only in museums, monuments or history books, but in languages, faith, music, food and family stories. He pointed to the region’s mix of histories and traditions, including Khoi and San heritage and the contributions of generations of farm workers, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, faith leaders and public servants.

“Our diversity is not something to fear or merely tolerate. It is one of our greatest strengths,” Van der Ross said.

He thanked the Minister and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for entrusting Oudtshoorn with the national event, saying the municipality, communities and partners responded positively despite receiving the invitation at short notice.

The celebrations opened with a tree-planting ceremony. Mavuso closed his remarks by widening the ownership of the day itself. “Heritage Day belongs to every South African,” he said. “It is therefore fitting that those who carry community memory, customary law, indigenous knowledge and living tradition should stand here as partners in shaping its meaning.”

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Heritage belongs to every South African - Mavuso, https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/heritage-belongs-every-south-african-mavuso