Next: 24 Sept 2027
Heritage Day
South Africa's day of cultural pride, known as National Braai Day, with the fire lit and food from every community.
When is Heritage Day in 2027?
Heritage Day 2027 is on Friday, 24 September 2027. Other years: 2026, Thursday, 24 September 2026; 2028, Sunday, 24 September 2028.
About Heritage Day
Heritage Day, on 24 September, celebrates the cultures, beliefs and traditions of the many communities of South Africa. Many people wear traditional dress, such as Zulu beadwork, Xhosa blankets, Cape Malay clothes, Ndebele patterns and Afrikaans folk dress, and attend events at community halls, museums and parks. It has also become known as National Braai Day, when families and friends light a fire to cook meat, sausages and corn, in a common tradition across communities. Dishes served include boerewors, pap with chakalaka sauce, sosaties, bobotie and koeksisters. The day links to the history of the Zulu king Shaka, whose memory was marked on 24 September before the democratic era, and now includes all of the country's heritage.
Heritage Day dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Heritage Day date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, 24 September 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, 24 September 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, 24 September 2028 |
What is eaten
- braai
- boerewors
- pap
- chakalaka
- bobotie
Also part of it, and being written: Braai (The South African barbecue.), Boerewors (The farm sausage of the braai.), Ndebele painting (The painted houses and patterns.).
More marked on Heritage Day
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Heritage Day (South Africa)" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.