Honour SA Culture this Heritage Day with PNA

Heritage Day is right around the corner, and it’s time to embrace what makes South Africa truly unique. On the 24th of September, we celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and histories that make our beautiful country what it is today. At PNA, we’re all about championing local culture, and there’s no better way to do that than by getting creative with some proudly South African crafts. So, grab your supplies and get ready to honour Mzansi’s rich heritage in the most colourful way possible! 

A Brief History of Heritage Day 

Heritage Day, known to many as “Braai Day,” is more than just a public holiday to enjoy with family and friends. It’s a day to reflect on our past and celebrate the various cultures that make South Africa such a vibrant and dynamic nation. Originally, the day was known as Shaka Day in KwaZulu-Natal, in honour of the legendary Zulu king, Shaka Zulu, who united the Zulu clans. In 1995, when South Africa became a democracy, Heritage Day was declared a public holiday, a day for all South Africans to celebrate their roots, regardless of race, religion, or culture. 

Over the years, Heritage Day has become a time to not only acknowledge our past but also to celebrate our present and future as a nation. Whether you’re Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, or any of the other wonderful cultures that call South Africa home, this day is for you! 

Now, let’s get crafty with some projects that scream South Africa. These DIY crafts are not only fun but also a great way to express your pride in our heritage. Plus, they’re perfect for the whole family to enjoy. 

Craft 1: Beaded South African Flag Keychain 

Nothing says South Africa like our bold, beautiful flag. This beaded keychain is a perfect way to carry a piece of the rainbow nation with you wherever you go. 

What you’ll need: 

• Coloured beads (red, blue, green, yellow, black, and white) 

• Thin craft wire 

• Keychain ring 

• Small pliers 

Step-by-step: 

1. Start with the wire: Cut a piece of wire about 20cm long. This will be your base for threading the beads. 
2. Create the first row: Begin by threading three black beads, two green beads, and three yellow beads. Slide the beads to the center of the wire. 
3. Form the base of the flag: On one side of the wire, thread three red beads, two green, and three yellow. On the other side, thread three blue beads, two green, and three yellow. This completes the bottom half of the flag. 
4. Add the white stripe: Thread two white beads on each side of the wire, crossing them over each other to form the white stripe in the center of the flag. 
5. Complete the top of the flag: On one side, thread three black beads and on the other, thread three black beads, leaving a small loop at the top. 
6. Secure the wire: Twist the wire ends together using the pliers and attach it to the keychain ring. 
7. Finish it off: Snip off any excess wire, and there you have it—a proudly South African flag keychain! 

Craft 2: Ndebele-Inspired Painted Pebbles 

The Ndebele people are famous for their vibrant, geometric designs, and what better way to honour that than by creating your own painted pebbles? These make fantastic decorations for your home or garden. 

What you’ll need: 

• Smooth, flat pebbles 

• Acrylic paints (bright colours like red, blue, yellow, black, white) 

• Fine paintbrushes 

• Pencil 

Step-by-step: 

1. Pick your pebbles: Choose a few smooth, flat pebbles that have enough surface area for painting. 
2. Sketch your design: Using a pencil, lightly sketch some geometric patterns inspired by traditional Ndebele designs. Think triangles, squares, and zigzags. 
3. Start painting: Begin with the bold colours first—red, yellow, blue—filling in your sketched shapes. Use the fine brush to get those sharp lines. 
4. Add details: Once the base colours are dry, use black and white to add details and outlines to your designs. This will make the colours pop! 
5. Seal your art: After the paint has fully dried, apply a clear varnish to protect your design and give the pebble a glossy finish. 
6. Display proudly: Place your pebbles around your home or garden, or even give them as gifts to friends and family. 

Craft 3: African Wildlife Paper Plate Masks 

Celebrate South Africa’s incredible wildlife with these fun and easy-to-make paper plate masks. Whether you’re a lion, elephant, or rhino, these masks are a hit with the little ones. 

What you’ll need: 

• Paper plates 

• Paints and paintbrushes 

• Coloured paper 

• Glue 

• Scissors 

• Elastic string 

Step-by-step: 

1. Choose your animal: Decide which South African animal you’d like to create—lion, elephant, or rhino. 
2. Base coat: Paint the entire paper plate in the base colour of your animal. Yellow for a lion, grey for an elephant, etc. Let it dry. 
3. Add details: Cut out shapes from the coloured paper to create features like ears, tusks, or horns. Glue these onto the plate. 
4. Paint the face: Use the paint to add details to the face, such as the lion’s mane or the elephant’s trunk. Get creative with the expressions! 
5. Attach the string: Once the paint and glue are dry, make two small holes on either side of the plate and thread the elastic string through. Tie the ends securely. 
6. Wear with pride: Your mask is ready to wear! Perfect for a Heritage Day celebration or just some fun around the house. 

Celebrate Heritage Day with PNA 

This Heritage Day, let’s celebrate what makes us uniquely South African with crafts that reflect our rich culture and history. Whether you’re making a beaded flag keychain, painting Ndebele pebbles, or crafting wildlife masks, these activities are sure to bring a bit of South African pride into your home. 

Remember, all the supplies you need can be found at your nearest PNA store, which you can find using our store locator. So, pop in and stock up on everything you need to make this Heritage Day one to remember. Happy crafting, South Africa!Top of Form 

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