“Exactly What RSA Is”: Coworkers Swap Traditional Attire in Fun Office Heritage Day Video, SA Moved

• A group of South African coworkers marked Heritage Day by wearing each other's traditional cultural clothing at the office
• The colleagues dressed in Zulu, Venda, Indian, Xhosa and Tsonga garments while playfully claiming to belong to different ethnic groups
• South Africans online praised the women for celebrating cultural diversity with such warmth and humour
• Briefly News reached out to Ngcebo Hlengiwe Mcobothi about the workplace cultural swap video she shared on social media

A group of colleagues at Johnson Fitness SA turned Heritage Day into a celebration of unity by swapping traditional attire from across the country's cultures. The video, posted on 23 September 2024 by TikTok user @ngcebomcobothi1, quickly captured the hearts of South Africans online.

In the clip, each colleague stepped forward dressed in the traditional clothing of a culture different from their own, from Zulu and Xhosa garments to Venda, Tsonga and Indian attire. Each woman jokingly claimed to belong to a different ethnic group before revealing her actual background, all while their coworkers clapped and danced alongside them.

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Heritage Day in the office

South Africa celebrates Heritage Day on 24 September each year as part of [Heritage Month](https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/heritage-month-september), a time dedicated to recognising the country's rich mix of cultures, traditions and languages. For these coworkers, the occasion became something more personal: a chance to learn about one another's backgrounds and wear that knowledge, quite literally.

The playful format made the message land all the more warmly. Rather than a formal presentation, the women brought energy, laughter and genuine appreciation to their cultural exchange, and it showed.

Watch the Heritage Day workplace swap that has Mzansi smiling

Marketing team brings creative Heritage Month initiative to life

We at Briefly News caught up with the creative content generator to learn more about the inspiration behind their viral Heritage Day office celebration.

Speaking about the company behind the colourful video, Ngcebo confirmed that the team members are employees at "Johnson Fitness SA."

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When asked who came up with the idea for the cultural outfit swap, she revealed:

"It was the marketing team's idea."

She further shared how the concept came to life through careful preparation and team participation, adding:

"Well, I came up with it as part of the marketing team, and we planned it from the beginning of September, and everyone picked a culture from a hat and also had to bring the food of the culture they chose."

Mzansi reacts to the cultural swap

For many viewers, the video was more than just entertainment. It was a reminder of what makes South Africa distinct: a workplace where colleagues can dress in each other's cultures and dance together, and call that an ordinary Thursday. South Africans flooded the comments with pride and humour:

@The Posting Introvert wrote:

"Americans would be having a heart attack lol 🧡 Beautiful ladies!"

@simply_bianca02 said:

"Culture appreciation, not appropriation 🌸."

@Yayah added:

"And this is exactly what RSA is, bethuna (guys) 🧡 🔥."

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@Ms.s.mreli shared:

"I actually thought the Zulu lady in Indian attire was Indian 💗."

@Jaco Van Der Merwe said:

"Didn't see anyone wearing a Boks top and saying I'm not. I'm white 🤍 🧡! This challenge isn't fair ❤️, love all your style! Really beautiful! Happy Heritage Day, Sinathanda nonke (we love you all)."

@Nandipha Ngalo wrote:

"You all were amazing ladies 🥰👏. My Xhosa, Indian 🥰."

3 Briefly News Heritage Day-related articles

• 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.
• A woman sparked intense online debate after sharing a passionate video criticising the rebranding of Heritage Day as "Braai Day," arguing that reducing the national holiday to cooking meat erases cultural history.
• A video recorded at a local garage on Heritage Day captured people dancing and celebrating in a vibrant display of traditional attire while proudly waving national flags.

Source: Briefly News