“We Appreciate You”: Proudly SA Heritage Day Celebration at the Japan Embassy Moves Mzansi

• The Japanese Embassy in South Africa marked Heritage Day by hosting a traditional braai with staff dressed in festive red Happi coats
• A representative extended warm wishes to South Africans celebrating the holiday with family, friends, and food
• South Africans were deeply moved by the gesture, with many saying the video inspired them to visit Japan

The Japanese Embassy in South Africa celebrated Heritage Day on 24 September 2026 in the most South African way possible: with a braai.

Staff at the embassy gathered outdoors around a smoking braai grid, dressed in traditional red Japanese Happi coats for the occasion. A representative spoke warmly about South Africa's rich cultural diversity, languages, and beliefs, and sent good wishes to everyone spending the public holiday with loved ones and a plate full of good food.

The video, shared on the embassy's official Instagram account @embassyofjapaninsouthafrica, captured a moment that resonated far beyond diplomatic circles.

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"Exactly what RSA is": Coworkers swap traditional attire in fun office Heritage Day video, SA moved

A gesture that touched Mzansi

For many South Africans, Heritage Day is about more than just braai fires. It is a celebration of identity, belonging, and the many cultures that make up the nation. Seeing a foreign embassy lean into that spirit with such genuine enthusiasm clearly struck a chord.

The clip spread quickly, with South Africans flooding the comments to express their appreciation and pride.

Watch the Heritage Day braai that warmed South African hearts in the TikTok video below:

South Africans appreciate the Japanese embassy

The response made one thing clear: this was far more than a social media post. For South Africans, it was a reminder that their culture is seen, valued, and celebrated well beyond their own borders. South Africans in the comments could not hide their delight:

@theenaturalmystic707 wrote:

"This account is pushing me to visit Japan."

@quentinwatt said:

"This account never misses! 🤩 Such great people!"

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@whw.001 shared:

"I just love our Japanese Ambassador and his team. I am really leaning towards visiting Japan soon. Thank you for integrating South African culture, Sir. We appreciate you 🇿🇦🇿🇦."

@mashilo_1910 commented:

"Thanks, Japan 🍊."

@fld.notes wrote:

"And somehow Heritage Day got even better 🌹🥳."

@nompu.mhlongo added:

"Thank you ❤️. We love Japan 🇯🇵."

3 more Heritage Day-related articles

• A group of colleagues at Johnson Fitness SA brought a creative twist to Heritage Month celebrations at work by swapping traditional cultural attire to honour unity and diversity.
• A Pretoria mother impressed internet users after handcrafting a stunning, traditional umbhaco outfit with a modern twist for her daughter's Heritage Day celebration at school.
• Briefly News reported that a local woman shared a passionate video criticising the rebranding of Heritage Day as "Braai Day," arguing that reducing the national holiday to cooking meat erases cultural history.

Source: Briefly News