How Culture and Heritage Intersect in The Modern Age

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By definition, heritage is an individual’s set of traditions, belief systems, values, and cultural practices. 

Admittedly, this is an oversimplified definition. 

Our interaction with cultural heritage has undergone transformation partly because of the spread of digital media.

In addition, as the world grows more globalized and connected, our understanding and attitude towards culture and heritage shape our worldview. Therefore, our relationship with heritage continues to evolve. This phenomenon affects how people from various cultures interact with their heritage.

Culture is an incredible resource for the identity, cohesion and progression of communities. And in today’s interdependent world, it can be a powerful ally in transforming communities and the people who live in them. 

The maturity of the digital space makes the world smaller. Even the most distant cultures and people become accessible. For example, in high school, in the halls of university, and in the workplace – we interact with people from different cultures than our own.

Because of this, it’s important to develop soft skills that will allow you to interact with people from all walks of life.

We asked Career Wise writers to share their experiences with culture and heritage. Check out what they had to say:

Zipho Majova: Heritage encourages us to look at our education from multiple perspectives

Growing up in a conservative black Christian Xhosa family and having had the opportunity to attend one of the leading higher education institutions on the African continent, but most importantly, a secular university, I’ve had to learn to marry these two polarized worlds. Attending a university that attracts a substantial amount of international students from various cultures and religions – I now understand and appreciate the importance of cultural preservation. Being exposed to other nationalities at a greater level forced me to confront my own internalized stereotypes and taught me about tolerance and acceptance.

The key takeaway: growing up in a cocooned environment or culturally homogenous background, almost cost me the value of learning and being open to learning from multiple perspectives. This limits our ability to collaborate, solve unusual problems and, in some situations, can be harmful – particularly in institutions of higher learning and the workplace. In other words, the more we neglect cultural preservation, the less flexible our world becomes. When we are ignorant of the importance of cultural preservation, our thinking narrows.

Themba ‘Jay’ Ndlangmandla: a culturally diverse township taught me a few languages, and to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

I grew up in a township called Orange Farm, in the south of Johannesburg. Both my parents were born and raised in Kwa-Zulu Natal. This makes me a pure IsiZulu speaking individual. 

The folks moved to Jo’burg to seek better work opportunities as soon as they could travel under the apartheid laws that governed South Africa in the 1980’s.

That’s how I had the opportunity to grow up amongst neighbours from different cultures. I remember that by age seven I could speak bits of Sesotho because a friend taught me the basics. Today, as an adult, I can also write the language because of those childhood experiences.

Two houses further from my Sesotho speaking mogotsi (friend), there was a Xitsonga family we were close with. Yet another language to understand — a win for my linguistic and communication abilities. (In high school, I befriended Xhosa people and eventually became fluent in the language.)

In retrospect, the love for languages sprang from the people I grew up around. It was a mixture of almost all ethnicities in one neighbourhood — and we interacted with each other. It was like an exchange program.

After high school, I did college in Sandton (further north of Johannesburg this go-round). I was out of my depth in the first year. I met people from all over South Africa, and abroad. There were students who came from private high schools. They spoke and behaved rather differently than the kids like me from township schools. 

For one, they were articulate, never feared speaking up during class discussions, and they displayed more confidence.

The experience was a culture shock that jolted me awake. It made me re-evaluate my writing and speaking skills (I was doing a media studies diploma). My confidence levels plummeted during the first few months in that once intimidating space. However, it was a good opportunity to strengthen my self-esteem, refine my English, learn to collaborate and showcase my skills in a different environment.

The whole experience was a vivid preview of the workplace a few years later.

Over the years, the key takeaways have been:

• A variety in thinking, beliefs, ideals and actions enriches the thought process of all people involved.
• Diversity is a good habit to build. On a personal level and for teams of all sizes and types (family, school, work, etc.)