Heritage Day is one of the most important holidays for South Africans. And for some people, preparing for this day takes a lot of work, especially if they have big families. Since this holiday is in the month of Spring, it’s the perfect time for everyone to have some fun in the sun.

In this post, we explain what heritage day is, how it’s celebrated and how you can prepare for this special day. Whether you’re having a small get-together or a large party, these tips will ensure that you’re well prepared for this significant holiday. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Heritage Day?

Heritage Day falls on the 24^th of September and is a holiday where people around the country celebrate their roots. The purpose is to celebrate the cultural diversity of South Africa.

Previously, Heritage Day was known as Shaka Day to commemorate King Shaka Zulu. This historical king united the Zulu tribe forming what is now the Zulu nation. In 1995, it was requested that the day be changed to a public holiday. The request was rejected but was soon changed thanks to the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party). After some time, the name was changed to Heritage Day.

How is Heritage Day Celebrated?

Since South Africa has a variety of cultures everyone celebrates Heritage Day in their own way. But the most popular way to celebrate this important holiday is hosting a massive braai. Families and friends come together to have a big feast on the day.

Meat is cooked on an open grill, salads are made and sometimes friends and family will make traditional dishes such as:

• Pap
• Malva Pudding
• Mala Mogodu
• Bobotie
• Umngqusho

Families may have their own traditional meals that they make on Heritage Day based on their culture.

5 Ways to Prepare for Your Heritage Day Braai

How prepared are you for Heritage Day this year? Here are tips to get you started so you’re ready to invite family and friends into your home.

1.      Disinfect Tables and Chairs

The day before Heritage Day we suggest cleaning and disinfecting your tables and chairs. Start by looking under the tables and chairs and clear away spiders and cobwebs. Then disinfect them by using your trusty Zoflora product. For this project, we suggest using Zoflora wipes because it will be easier to clean away dust and grime.

On the other hand, you can also fill a 500ml Zoflora spray bottle with water and add two caps of Zoflora concentrate. Spray the mixture directly onto tables and chairs and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dirt and eliminate germs and bacteria.

2.      Clean Out the Braai Area

One of the mistakes some people make is not cleaning out their braais before lighting a fire. The ashes from the previous coals will fly around and contaminate your meat. It will also prevent the new coals from burning properly.

Using a dust pan, sweep all the ashes out of your braai area and dust away excess debris when you’re done. You can also wash off your grill with warm water and vinegar. For the areas surrounding the braai, use Zoflora to wipe down counters or any surfaces in the area.

3.      Prepare Your Welcome Mat

Welcome mats gather dirt and grime. What’s more, bacteria is transferred to mats from people’s shoes. You can wash your mat in the washing machine and add two caps of Zoflora to the rinse cycle. Or you can hose your mat clean and simply spray Zoflora onto the mat to kill germs and bacteria living on its surface.

4.      Cleaning Your Outside and Inside Floors

Your outside floors can become dusty especially because it’s windy season now. Sweep away dust and debris so it doesn’t leave dirty streaks when you mop. Then fill a bucket with cold water and add two caps of Zoflora concentrate. Dip your mop into the liquid, wring out the water and start mopping your floors.

The advantage of using Zoflora to clean your floors is that it leaves a pleasant fragrance behind. So your braai area and indoor floors will have a fresh scent that your visitors will find appealing. But most importantly Zoflora kills all germs, bacteria and viruses living on the surface of the floors.

5.      Disinfecting the Kitchen and Bathroom

The two areas in your home that will probably be visited the most by friends and family are your kitchen and bathroom. Use Zoflora to clean these areas thoroughly by:

• Mopping floors
• Cleaning taps
• Washing out sinks
• Wiping down counters
• Disinfecting your toilet
• Washing hand towels
• Cleaning door handles

Simply choose a Zoflora fragrance you love to clean these areas in your home before heritage day.

Final Thoughts and Extra Tips

There are other ways that you can prepare for your Heritage Day braai. We suggest marinating your meat the night before the braai. Chop up veggies and salad ingredients and keep them in bowls in air-tight containers in the fridge. You can also do baking the night before if you’re making dessert for your braai.

By preparing all your food and cleaning before Heritage Day, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy hanging out with your friends and family. We hope you all have a lovely celebration.

How will you celebrate Heritage Day? Let us know in the comments section below.