Makholokoe heritage celebration unites community in Harrismith

By Emily Setona

HARRISMITH – The Makholokoe Heritage Celebration, hosted on 30 September 2025, brought together cultural leaders, community structures, and learners in Harrismith to honour and preserve the richness of South Africa’s heritage.

Organised by the ANC Constituency Parliamentary Office in partnership with the Makholokoeng Royal Council, the colourful event reflected the Heritage Month theme: “Reimagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era.”

The celebration was graced by the presence of Morena Paulos Moloi from the Free State House of Traditional Leaders and Member of Parliament Pitso Noe representing the National Council of Provinces. Addressing the gathering, Morena Moloi stressed the importance of teaching children cultural values and urged parents to promote culture in their homes.

“If we fail to teach our children who they are and where they come from, we risk raising a generation without identity or pride in their roots,” he said.

In attendance were schoolchildren, cultural and religious groups, who entertained the audience with traditional songs, dances, and displays of cultural attire. Their participation highlighted the importance of passing traditions to the younger generation.

The programme emphasized recognition and celebration of South Africa’s diverse cultural traditions, the need to leverage heritage as a foundation for building a dynamic and inclusive society, and the evolution of culture in the face of modern social, economic, and technological challenges.

It also highlighted the role of museums and heritage sites such as the Basotho Cultural Village, Wetsie’s Cave, and the statues of heroes and heroines, as custodians of memory and drivers of tourism in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District.

Speakers reminded the community to uphold positive daily practices that shape society, including the fight against gender-based violence, respect in social relationships, preserving language, and maintaining cultural rites such as marriage and initiation schools.

In his address, MP Noe underlined the significance of heritage in nation-building.

“Heritage is not only about remembering the past, it is also about shaping the future. We must protect our traditions while embracing innovation so that future generations inherit both pride and progress,” he said.

The celebration was made possible through collaboration between the Makholokoe Traditional Council, Harrismith Constituency Office, Bomme Ba Sehlahla, SAPS, Road Safety, Ikaheng Old Age and other stakeholders.