Dressed in regal traditional Zulu attire, Bergville-born model and media personality Thobeka Khumalo embodies both the richness of our past and the promise of the future. As South Africa marks Heritage Month 2025, she is a striking reminder of how tradition and modernity can coexist with beauty and purpose.
This year’s Heritage Month theme calls on South Africans to modernise and reimagine the institutions that safeguard our history—ensuring they remain vibrant, inclusive, and relevant for generations to come. It is a call to embrace innovation while honouring tradition, inviting us to engage with our diverse cultural heritage in ways that preserve identity and inspire progress in this new era.
For Thobeka, who was raised by her grandmother in Bergville, the month is deeply personal. Her journey from a rural upbringing to the world of modelling and media reflects the values of resilience, pride, and ubuntu that continue to guide her. Beyond her career, she mentors young women and hosts youth beauty pageants, creating platforms for them to celebrate both beauty and culture.
“Heritage Day to me is more than just a public holiday,” she shared. “It’s a reminder of where I come from and the sacrifices of those who came before me. As a young Black woman, it’s a day that affirms my roots, my traditions, and my culture, while also allowing me to appreciate the richness and diversity of all the people in South Africa. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and honour the history that shaped us—even the painful parts—and also to celebrate how far we’ve come.”
Thobeka explained that celebrating her heritage helps her embrace her identity fully and proudly: “It reminds me that I carry within me the strength, resilience, and wisdom of my ancestors. It gives me a sense of belonging—that I am part of a bigger story and community. By acknowledging and celebrating my culture, I see myself not just as an individual, but as a continuation of a legacy. It grounds me in who I am, while also giving me the courage to dream beyond what was once possible.”
Heritage, she says, is not just symbolic but a daily compass: “It influences my values, the way I communicate, the respect I give to others, and the pride I have in my identity. It shows in how I carry myself with dignity, in the way I embrace ubuntu, and in how I aim to uplift others around me. Even in modern spaces, my heritage serves as a compass reminding me that I am rooted—and most importantly, that I am enough.”
As South Africans prepare to mark Heritage Day on Wednesday, 24 September, The Springfield Weekly Gazette extends warm wishes to all our readers and advertisers for a joyful and meaningful celebration.
