The Eastern Cape Department of Education under Buffalo City Municipality District on the 22 September 2023 Tompanyana Primary School in Nu14 Mdantsane held a Heritage Day celebration at the school premises by practicing cultural activities. 

This Initiative is done to instill respect, show love to the learners, taught how to respect their cultures including family and community at large. On the day learners showcased their cultures in different ways as much as they enjoyed themselves, they were also learning, South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of many cultures that make up the population of the country.

“As a Deputy Principal, we felt that it was necessary to celebrate Heritage Day by allowing all our learners to practice their cultures this initiative also develops their self confidence in cultural expression, skills development according to their culture, develop self-recognition, and instilling culture including identity of a black child.” Said MS Jax Maqubela Babalwa

The Head of Department, MS Nondlazi Pumeza, said positively that.
“The commemoration heritage celebration is mainly for our learners to be proud of their roots and customs through the activities like showcasing of their traditional dancing and songs they were taught back in their homes hence we instill respect and love for themselves and their communities at large.” 

Elaborating more on the above statements was the Chairperson of the SGB MS Nomphelo Yawathi, whom is also a parent of a grade 4 learner at the school said,” the heritage day celebration is to educate our children about their religion and where their forefathers are coming from, it is important to know our roots in this life time which includes being proud of our culture hash tag # Know your roots.”                                               

When asked Minentle Vetfoot a female learner, what she had learned about the heritage day commemoration, she had the following to say,” I have learnt that we must respect our culture, we were also taught about different cultural food like samp, tribe including brewed beer(Umqombothi) and how to look after ourselves as boys and girls.”

The day brought so much joy and contentment to the school and reminded everyone the importance of celebrating heritage as it plays an important role in promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion and reconciliation.