The South African Embassy in Brussels marked Heritage Day 2026 by supporting South African artist Viva Sage Thabete and his Ubuntu art exhibition hosted at Mira Art Gallery in Brussels.
The exhibition provided a platform for South African art and cultural expression while highlighting the values of Ubuntu, identity, heritage and shared humanity.
Celebrating South African Heritage Through Art
Heritage Day, commemorated annually on 24 September, provides South Africans with an opportunity to celebrate the country’s diverse cultural heritage, histories, traditions and identities.
In Brussels, the South African Embassy used the occasion to highlight the role of art in communicating South Africa’s cultural identity beyond its borders.
Through his artistic work, Viva Sage Thabete explores the concept of Ubuntu, an African philosophy commonly associated with the idea that our humanity is interconnected with that of others.
The exhibition presents Ubuntu as a contemporary and living philosophy, connecting themes of community, relationships, identity and shared human experience.
Ubuntu as a Contemporary Expression
The exhibition demonstrates how African philosophical traditions can be expressed through contemporary artistic practice.
Thabete’s work brings the concept of Ubuntu into an artistic setting, encouraging audiences to reflect on the relationships and connections that shape communities and societies.
The emphasis on interconnectedness also resonates with the broader significance of cultural diplomacy, where art and culture can create opportunities for dialogue and greater understanding between people and countries.
Mira Art Gallery Marks First Anniversary
The Heritage Day celebration also coincided with the first anniversary of Mira Art Gallery, adding another dimension to the occasion.
The gallery provided a space for the exhibition and for the celebration of art, culture and creativity.
The anniversary and Heritage Day observance therefore brought together two significant themes: the continued development of a platform for artistic expression and the celebration of South Africa’s diverse cultural heritage.
Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy
The Embassy’s support for South African artists abroad forms part of the broader role that cultural activities can play in international engagement.
Through exhibitions, creative industries and cultural exchanges, South African artistic voices can reach international audiences while contributing to greater awareness of the country’s history, values and contemporary identity.
The Brussels exhibition demonstrates how cultural diplomacy can complement traditional diplomatic engagement, creating spaces where people can encounter South African perspectives through creativity and artistic expression.
Celebrating South African Artists Beyond Our Borders
The Heritage Day initiative also placed emphasis on supporting South African artists who use their work to communicate the country’s diverse heritage and stories to international audiences.
For South Africa, whose cultural identity is shaped by a rich diversity of communities, languages, traditions and artistic expressions, international platforms such as art galleries provide important opportunities to share this heritage with the world.
The celebration in Brussels ultimately highlighted the enduring relevance of Ubuntu, heritage and cultural expression, while recognising the contribution of South African artists to international cultural dialogue.
As South Africa continues to celebrate its heritage at home and abroad, initiatives such as the Ubuntu exhibition demonstrate the ability of art and culture to build connections across borders.
