As South Africa prepares to observe Heritage Day on 24 September, Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement, cautions that celebrating our rich cultural landscape and diverse traditions alone, falls short of honouring the true spirit of the day.

 

Realising the promise of a united, harmonious South Africa requires actively confronting the deep wounds and systemic inequalities left behind by apartheid. This work is led 365 days a year, by the non-profit sector. As the primary driver of tolerance, inclusion, and mutual understanding across the country, South Africa’s NPOs require far greater support, resources, and investment to sustain their critical role in building social cohesion.

 

“Heritage Month is not only about celebrating our vibrant traditions and identities, but also about building a shared future where every South African feels valued and heard,” says Inyathelo Acting Executive Director, Feryal Domingo. “Apartheid left deep wounds in the fabric of our society. Through grassroots community work, human rights advocacy, restorative justice and economic empowerment initiatives, civil society organisations perform vital, everyday labour to heal these wounds and cultivate genuine tolerance.”

 

Across South Africa, thousands of civil society organisations work on the front lines to tackle the deep-seated legacy issues that continue to threaten national unity. Their work fosters social cohesion through inter-group dialogue, conflict resolution and anti-racism education that directly dismantles prejudice and stereotypes.

 

At the same time, the sector actively drives community development, skills training, and social assistance to break down the socio-economic barriers remaining from apartheid. By upholding constitutional rights, these non-profits serve as a vital line of defence for vulnerable populations, including women, children, refugees, and LGBTQIA+ communities against discrimination and hate.

 

To ensure this work endures, organisations like Inyathelo focus on institutional capacity building and Advancement practices, equipping civil society to maintain long-term sustainability and deliver lasting community impact.

 

However, civil society cannot singlehandedly carry the load. Shifting the needle at scale, requires robust local philanthropy, sustainable funding, and strategic partnerships across government and private sectors.

 

"Tolerance and social cohesion cannot be achieved through policy alone. They are built in local communities, schools, places of worship and workplaces every single day. Supporting our NPO sector is an investment in the long-term peace, justice, and heritage of our nation," said Domingo.