The City of Johannesburg’s Office of the Speaker marked Heritage Day with a heartfelt celebration alongside senior citizens at Clean Touch Administration Services in Orange Farm.
Held in partnership with local stakeholders, the event honoured the elderly as custodians of heritage and reaffirmed the City’s commitment to cultural preservation and caring for its most vulnerable residents.
The day was rich in colour and tradition, featuring live performances of traditional music and dance from community groups. Elders and guests proudly donned attire reflecting their diverse backgrounds, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected Joburg’s multicultural identity.
Chief of Staff in the Speaker’s Office, Andiswa Godlo, opened the programme with a powerful reminder: “Our heritage is not just in museums or books – it lives in you, our elders. Your stories and experiences are the foundation on which we build a united and inclusive city.”
Delivering the keynote address, Speaker of Council Cllr Margaret Arnolds described Heritage Day as more than a public holiday. “It is a reminder that our strength as a City lies in our diversity, anchored on the principles of Ubuntu: I am, because you are. We must honour those who carried our traditions through the hardest times.”
Cllr Arnolds also emphasised intergenerational learning. “These are the people who built communities from nothing, who taught us that Ubuntu is a way of life. Their values and resilience remain the backbone of our city.”
The programme included storytelling sessions, traditional cuisine, and youth participation, fostering meaningful dialogue between generations. Each elder received a vegetable pack through the City’s Expanded Social Package, reinforcing the City’s commitment to honouring and supporting its senior citizens.
Harriet Dladla, the Head of Clean Touch Administration Services, expressed her gratitude: “This event shows our elders that they are not forgotten. Their lives matter, and their stories still teach us who we are.”
By celebrating with Orange Farm elders, the Office of the Speaker demonstrated Joburg’s vision of a caring, inclusive and culturally aware society – one that values heritage and ensures the wisdom of elders continues to shape future generations.
Image cred: City of Johannesburg
