Parliament Calls on South Africans to Build a Heritage Rooted in Ubuntu

Parliament’s Presiding Officers, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, call on South Africans to use Heritage Day to strengthen the values of Ubuntu, human dignity and collective responsibility in building safer and more united communities. This year, Heritage Day is commemorated under the theme, “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.” The theme reminds us that South Africa’s heritage is not only found in our monuments, languages, traditions, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. It also lives in the values that shape how we treat one another and the society we build for future generations. Central to these values is Ubuntu, the recognition of our shared humanity and our responsibility towards one another. Ubuntu reminds us that the dignity, safety and wellbeing of every person are inseparable from the wellbeing of the community. This principle has particular significance as South Africa confronts gender-based violence and femicide, crime and other social ills that continue to cause immense suffering in families and communities. Violence aga