MEDIA ADVISORY: NATIONAL HERITAGE COUNCIL AND SANPARKS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, 12 August 2026

NATIONAL HERITAGE COUNCIL AND SANPARKS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

For Immediate Release

The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC), in partnership with SANParks through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, invites members of the media to join the celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Observed annually on 9 August, following its proclamation by the United Nations, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples promotes and celebrates the rights, cultures, identities, traditional knowledge and well-being of Indigenous peoples, while raising awareness of the challenges they continue to face globally.

The observance recognises Indigenous peoples as custodians of cultural diversity, traditional knowledge systems and sustainable ways of living that make a significant contribution to humanity’s shared heritage.

In South Africa, the commemoration provides an important platform to recognise and celebrate the living heritage, knowledge systems, languages, cultural practices and resilience of Khoisan communities. The event also creates an opportunity to promote greater awareness of the importance of indigenous languages and cultures in strengthening identity, dignity and community well-being.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Celebration
Theme: Celebrating Indigenous Languages and Cultures for Identity and Well-being
Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Venue: Rietfontein, Northern Cape
Time: 09h00 – 15h00

The programme will bring together community members, traditional knowledge holders, heritage stakeholders and other partners to celebrate Indigenous heritage and highlight the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous languages, cultural practices and knowledge systems for current and future generations.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event, engage with participants and capture the cultural activities and discussions taking place during the celebration.

MEDIA RSVP

Members of the media are kindly requested to RSVP to:

Tsireledzo Mandane
National Heritage Council
Email: t.mandane@nhc.org.za
Call/WhatsApp: 079 298 9394