Local Celebrities Share What They Love Most About South Africa This Heritage Day

From its incredible diversity of cultures and languages to its breathtaking natural landscapes and seriously good food, South Africa is a country with plenty to celebrate this Heritage Day.

As South Africans prepare to mark Heritage Day, local personalities Carol Ofori, Wiseman Mncube and Kriya Gangiah are sharing some of the things they love most about calling South Africa home, from the country’s unique ability to celebrate different cultures to the simple joy of finding a beautiful waterfall to escape to.

Carol Ofori, radio personality and author

For radio and television personality Carol Ofori, one of the things that makes South Africa particularly special is its unique approach to celebrating heritage. She loves that Heritage Day creates space for people from different backgrounds to celebrate who they are and the cultures that have shaped them. For Ofori, that diversity is reflected not only in the country’s people and languages, but also in its food. “I think South Africa is so dynamic. It’s a real flex to live in this country and to be part of this community that recognises 12 official languages, including Sign Language. What other country in the world does that? One of my favourite things about being South African is the amount of incredible food we get from our mixed heritage,” she says. “You can go to a braai and have some delicious meat and pap and milk tart for dessert, or enjoy vetkoek, amagwinya or many other incredible dishes. Our food is so beautifully colourful and it speaks to people across the world, and it’s all here in South Africa.”

Wiseman Mncube, actor and Tropika Island Of Treasure contestant

For Wiseman Mncube, South Africa’s natural beauty, he believes, is one of the country’s greatest treasures – and if there’s a waterfall involved, even better. “I love how beautiful this country is,” says Mncube. “Anywhere with a waterfall is my happy place. There’s something about being near a waterfall that makes me feel relaxed.” For Mncube, spending time in nature is about more than simply enjoying the scenery. It gives him an opportunity to slow down, reflect and reconnect with himself. “I pray, I meditate and I just take a moment to find myself again,” the Tropika Island of Treasure celebrity contestant says. “Being somewhere with a waterfall, sitting under the water and letting it run over me is incredibly calming. It gives me a chance to switch off, relax and just be present.” Home to countless waterfalls, mountains, forests and other natural spaces, Mncube says South Africa’s beauty provides the perfect backdrop for moments of peace and reflection.

Martin Bester, Jacaranda FM radio personality

For Jacaranda FM presenter Martin Bester, one of the most special things about being South African is the way the country’s differences can disappear when there is something to rally behind: particularly sport. “I think my favourite thing about being South African is that we go about our daily lives, all very different, until our team plays at a World Cup or against an international team and then suddenly, we’re very much more the same,” says Bester. “We all love winning!” But for Bester, the South African spirit goes beyond sport. He says the willingness of South Africans to lend a hand and make themselves useful when someone needs help is one of the country’s defining qualities. “Another thing I love so much about South Africans is that we really, really like being helpful. South Africans always want to make themselves useful when there’s a need. We’re honestly some of the friendliest and most caring people in the world, and I think that’s something really special about us.”

Kriya Gangiah, media personality and sports presenter

For presenter and media personality Kriya Gangiah, it is South Africa’s incredible diversity, and the way its many cultures come together, that makes the country so special. “My favourite thing about being South African is the incredible diversity of our country,” says Gangiah. “I love how many different cultures, traditions, languages and cuisines we have, and how they all come together to make South Africa what it is.” Having travelled to many different parts of the world through her work, Gangiah says that it is the warmth of South Africans that continues to make the country feel like home. “I’ve travelled to so many places through my work, but there’s something really special about the warmth and welcoming nature of South Africans,” she says. “No matter where you’re from, there’s always a sense of community and togetherness, and I think that’s what makes South Africa feel like home.”

This Heritage Day, our celebrities are celebrating the things that make the country uniquely South African — and reminding us that heritage isn’t just about where we come from, but the traditions, experiences, places and people that continue to shape who we are.