Heritage is a foundation to building SA’s future: Mashatile

Acting President Paul Mashatile says heritage is a foundation for building a dynamic, socially responsive, technologically innovative and economically inclusive future.  This year’s Heritage Month is celebrated with the theme: Re-imagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era.

Today’s celebrations focus on how society, through culture, continues to evolve in response to social, economic, and technological challenges.

Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the Bridgeton Sports Grounds in the Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, Western Cape.

VIDEO | National Heritage Day celebrations 2025

Mashatile, accompanied by officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, also planted trees at the Dysselsdorp Secondary School as part of a government campaign to plant One Million Trees today, across all provinces.

📸Deputy President Paul Mashatile unveils the plaque and officially hands over the Dysseldorp Sekonder Skool’s Multi-Purpose Sport Facility built by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as part of the Heritage Month’s programme of building facilities to get the youth off the… pic.twitter.com/1jHSwCWU45

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 24, 2025

The campaign forms of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Programme, which aims to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life to plant trees.

I am at the Bridgeton Sport Grounds, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, in the Western Cape Province, leading the national Heritage Day celebrations under the theme: “Re-imagining our Heritage Institutions for a New Era”.

Ahead of the main address, I planted the first tree at the… pic.twitter.com/DD2LJ2F4pl

— Paul Mashatile🇿🇦 (@PMashatile) September 24, 2025

[Watch] Acting President Paul Mashatile plants a tree at Dysselsdorp Secondary School as part of the One Million Trees Campaign. The initiative not only contributes to climate resilience but also raises awareness about the importance of tree planting, while encouraging… pic.twitter.com/t3LMSNVSxg

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 24, 2025

VIDEO | Heritage Day | “One Million Trees Campaign” aims to plant 10 million trees over five years

Collective fight against youth drug abuse

Mashatile has also raised concerns over the growing abuse of drugs and alcohol among young people and says it is important for collective efforts by families, communities, civil society and government to tackle the scourge.

He says drug abuse not only harms the youth, but fuels unemployment and crime.

“The rate of drug abuse amongst our children is a concern to our government, especially as it leads to the stigmatisation of young people into categories. I call on everyone to stand up and fight this demon that has engulfed our nation. It is our joint responsibility to combat alcohol and substance abuse and work together to eradicate similar practices within our communities,” he adds.

[WATCH] Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africans must work together to fight crime, racism, tribalism, gender-based violence, femicide, and other challenges that hinder the country’s progress.#UpdateAtNoon #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/GJwg6NbAyJ

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) September 24, 2025