In South Africa, the month of September is known as Heritage Month with Heritage Day being celebrated on 24 September. Heritage Day is declared a public holiday and it is celebrated annually to mark our nation’s diverse culture and heritage. This year the celebrations took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 theme for Heritage Month is “Celebrating South Africa’s living human treasures”. In celebrating living human treasures, the bearers of the country’s indigenous knowledge systems are celebrated. During the Heritage Month launch event on 07 September 2020, the Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa unveiled three of South Africa’s living human treasures whom were celebrated on the day, and these are Dr Esther Mahlangu, Mama Madosini Latozi Mphaleni and Mama Ouma Katrina Esau.They are all women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of artistic occupation, putting South Africa on the map on the global stage.

Download Mbalo Brief September 2020