Picture: Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
22 September 2026 – The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul will lead the province’s 2026 Heritage Day celebrations at Matjieskloof Sportsground in the Namakwa District on 24 September 2026. Saul will be joined by the Northern Cape MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika, other Members of the Executive Council, as well as leaders from the Namakwa District and local municipalities.
Saul spokesperson, Naledi Gaosekwe said the event will be held under the theme: “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.” Gaosekwe said the theme highlights the importance of living heritage as an expression of identity, memory and belonging.
“Living heritage is expressed through our languages, music, dance, rituals, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, craftsmanship, beliefs and customs. The celebrations will also coincide with the Annual Provincial Indigenous Games Festival, which will take place across all five districts of the province.
“The festival will feature nine traditional games, including Kgati, Morabaraba, Intonga, Diketo, Jukskei, Kho-Kho, Dibeke, Drie Stokkies and Ncuva. The Indigenous Games would provide communities with an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on traditions while ensuring that cultural heritage is passed on to younger generations,” she said.
Gaosekwe further said the Indigenous Games give communities a practical opportunity to celebrate traditions and practices that continue to shape South Africa’s diverse cultural identity, while passing this heritage on to younger generations. She added that the programme will begin with a commemoration, followed by Saul’s keynote address and a Heritage Parade bringing communities together to celebrate the province’s cultural heritage.
The Guardian 