Every year on 24 September, South Africans come together to celebrate Heritage Day, a time to honour the diverse cultures, traditions, and shared stories that make up our beautiful rainbow nation. For some, it’s a day of gathering around the braai with family and friends. For others, it’s about reconnecting with cultural traditions, music, or food.

At AWOL Tours, we wanted to know how our own team of guides, the people who share Cape Town’s stories with travellers every day, celebrate Heritage Day. We asked a few of them what the day means to them, their favourite traditions, and how they think visitors can experience the spirit of Heritage Day while in South Africa.

How our Guides Celebrate

Rodrigue

Rodrigue specialises in immersive cultural and historical tours, weaving stories through places like District Six, Bo-Kaap, Robben Island, and Pniel. His approach to Heritage Day is deeply personal. The day begins with prayer and reflection, followed by donning traditional attire and joining community gatherings where meals and stories are shared across generations. His table is a beautiful mix of cultures, Cameroonian banana fritters alongside pap and braai. For visitors, Rodrigue recommends experiencing the vibrant streets of Bo-Kaap with a walking tour that ends in a local home for a shared meal. The colourful houses, the scent of spices, and the depth of community stories, he says, create a living mosaic of Cape Town’s soul.

Derrick

Derrick guides a wide variety of tours with AWOL, from City Bowl Cycle Tours and walking tours to wine tastings, food experiences, Franschhoek cycling trips, and adventures in the Overberg. For him, Heritage Day is often spent outdoors with family, gathering around a braai, enjoying a picnic, or relaxing by the beach or pool. If he were to recommend something special for visitors, it would be pairing a wine tasting with traditional foods, or taking a scenic walk through Kirstenbosch, or an adventurous one up Table Mountain, followed by a picnic.

Gareth

From the mountains and oceans to Cape Town’s vibrant city streets and the Garden Route, Gareth guides a little bit of everything. When Heritage Day comes around, though, his schedule is simple: braai, braai, and more braai. In fact, he jokes that if there isn’t a fire going somewhere, is it even Heritage Day? Over the years, he’s often celebrated the day with guests, introducing them not only to South African flavours but also to the joy of gathering around an open fire in beautiful places. His philosophy? Location is everything.

Mike

Mike is often out on AWOL’s popular City Cycle Tours, guiding Cape Point adventures, or leading Hike, Bike and Wine trips. His Heritage Day traditions include time with friends and family, enjoying a braai with good company. On the menu you’ll usually find boerewors, a few salads, and something extra special like a steak. For visitors wanting to experience Heritage Day like a local, Mike believes nothing captures the spirit of the day more than sharing braai food.

A Day for All South Africans

Heritage Day is more than just a public holiday; it’s a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that makes South Africa unique. Whether you’re exploring the streets of Cape Town, hiking Table Mountain, gathering around the braai, or sharing stories across a table, it’s a day that brings people together in celebration of who we are.

At AWOL Tours, we’re proud to celebrate this day alongside our guides, travellers, and communities. However you choose to mark the day, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Heritage Day!