The Consulate General of the Republic of South Africa in Lagos, in partnership with AfroFlavour, announces the 2025 edition of South African Heritage Day, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.
This year’s celebration is themed “The Spirit of Ubuntu and Our Shared Heritage,” and presents a first-of-its-kind cultural collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria. Designed as an immersive experience, the event aims to celebrate African diversity, strengthen bilateral ties, and promote a united vision for the continent through food, fashion, music, and dialogue.
A Pan-African Celebration Rooted in Heritage
Originally known as Shaka Day, Heritage Day is a public holiday in South Africa that honours the nation’s cultural traditions and the legacy of King Shaka Zulu. Over the years, it has evolved into a day of national pride, recognizing the country’s multicultural identity. In 2025, this observance extends its reach to Lagos, Nigeria, celebrating not only South African traditions but also the deep cultural connections shared across the African continent.
“Heritage Day reminds us that while our traditions may be diverse, our identity as Africans is collective,” said Ms Sebo Lenyai, Chargé d’Affaires at the South African Consulate in Lagos. “This event is a statement of unity and a demonstration that there is more that unites us than divides us.”
Key Features of the 2025 Event
This year’s celebration is designed as an immersive experience with four signature components:
1. Cultural Market
A curated African marketplace featuring authentic crafts, fashion, jewelry, and cuisine. Attendees will explore the depth of African creativity, from handwoven textiles and beadwork to regional culinary delights.
2. Creator’s Lounge
A thought leadership platform featuring thematic discussions led by chefs, cultural advocates, and industry experts. Topics include:
The Evolution and Global Potential of African Cuisine
Culture and Identity in Contemporary Africa
Africa 2063: Pathways to a Self-Reliant, Industrialized Continent
3. Beef Tripe Cook-Off
A culinary showcase featuring chefs from six African countries — South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Zimbabwe — competing to present the best beef tripe dish. South Africa will highlight Mala Mogodu, a traditional slow-cooked delicacy. This competition seeks to elevate beef tripe to the global culinary recognition enjoyed by dishes such as jollof rice.
4. Fashion and Dance Procession
A live runway and performance celebrating traditional attire and choreography. Featuring garments from Nigeria’s Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Urhobo cultures alongside South African traditional wear, the showcase is produced in partnership with the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, known for its Egba Liganza movement. The event will include traditional music and dance performances that bring heritage to life.
A Journey Across Africa Without Leaving Lagos
The Federal Palace Hotel will be transformed into a symbolic travel experience, styled as an African gateway. Guests will receive customized “boarding passes” and AfroFlavour “passports,” entering through a themed arrival area inspired by Cape Town International Airport. The experience includes mock immigration stamps, iconic South African imagery, and the Shaka Zulu Throne, where guests can don traditional regalia for photographs.
A Platform for Cultural Diplomacy and Economic Growth
AfroFlavour founder Lucky Idike emphasized that beyond celebration, the event is a platform to drive African cuisine and culture to the global stage. “We are working to make African food as globally recognized as Italian, Chinese, or American cuisine. Food is not just sustenance—it is a vehicle for trade, tourism, and cultural diplomacy,” he said.
AfroFlavour’s mission is to grow the African culinary sector into a $10 billion global market, through international festivals, awards, and strategic partnerships.
This event also supports the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a unified, prosperous Africa led by Africans. It reinforces the importance of cultural exchanges and intra-African collaboration in achieving continental development.
Supported by South African Airways and the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, South African Heritage Day 2025 in Lagos promises to be a landmark event that bridges cultures, inspires dialogue, and celebrates the richness of African identity.
