Living our heritage through media
There is an unmistakable energy in the air. South Africa’s music, television and entertainment landscape feels vibrant and alive – fuelled by bold, colourful storytelling and an ever-growing slate of local content. From period pieces infused with fantasy and mythology to contemporary coming-of-age stories shaped by social media and youth culture, our screens are being illuminated by the creativity of African producers, directors and performers.
South Africa’s heritage can never be contained within a single day. As Heritage Day and Heritage Month invite the nation into celebration, we are reminded of the rich and multifaceted cultural legacy that defines us. Some express this through traditional dress and textiles, others through the green and gold worn in support of national sporting heroes. However we choose to mark the moment, one unifying thread runs through us all: storytelling.
Storytelling is deeply rooted in our heritage. Long before film and television, Southern African cultures preserved knowledge, values and identity through oral traditions – through song, performance and spoken word. Over time, these stories evolved into written forms, stage productions, broadcast media and, more recently, digital and cinematic expression. The medium has changed, but the impulse remains the same: to remember, to connect and to pass meaning forward.
Throughout my career in media, I have witnessed how powerful representation can be when it is intentional. Seeing ourselves reflected on screen – in our languages, our histories and our everyday realities – affirms belonging and preserves cultural memory. One of the most effective tools in this work is language itself. Local-language storytelling does more than entertain; it safeguards heritage and ensures culture remains living and accessible.
South African television has increasingly embraced multilingual storytelling, reflecting the country’s linguistic diversity and complexity. From locally grounded sitcoms and dramas to adaptations of global formats in indigenous languages, these creative choices have had a meaningful impact on inclusion and cultural pride.
Biographical storytelling, in particular, plays a vital role in preserving collective memory. Revisiting the lives of cultural icons allows new generations to understand the context, struggles and triumphs that shaped contemporary South Africa. Stories like that of the late kwaito legend Mandoza remind us that music can be both personal and political – a soundtrack to identity, resilience and national unity.
Mandoza’s work resonated across boundaries of race, class and language at a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic journey. Songs such as Nkalakatha became more than chart-toppers; they became shared cultural reference points, echoing through sports stadiums, celebrations and everyday life. Even years later, the music continues to evoke pride, nostalgia and connection.
Preserving the legacy of artists like Mandoza through film and television is about more than honouring individual achievement. It is about recognising the role culture plays in shaping social cohesion and collective memory. These stories remind us how creativity can unite people, reflect societal change and anchor a sense of belonging.
Heritage, after all, is not static. It lives through what we choose to remember, support and pass on. Media has a unique responsibility in this process: to document our icons, amplify our voices and ensure that the stories defining us are not lost to time.
I encourage young Africans, in particular, to actively engage with local content – to watch, support and share African stories wherever they can. In doing so, they contribute to preserving heritage, strengthening unity and showcasing the richness of African culture on a global stage.
Through intentional storytelling and continued investment in local creativity, we can ensure that the legacies of our cultural pioneers endure – inspiring future generations as they shape the next chapters of our shared identity.
