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What makes South Africa feel like home?
For some of us, it’s a family recipe that has been passed down through generations. It might be the sound of a favourite song, a familiar landscape, or the smell of shisa nyama. It could be a dog waiting at the gate, Sunday lunch around the family table, or the stranger who smiles and greets you as you pass.
Heritage Day is a chance to celebrate all of it.
There’s no single way to be South African, and that’s exactly the point. Our cultures, languages, traditions, and family rituals may differ, but certain things have a way of bringing us together.
We asked a few of the Mrs South Africa 2026 finalists what they would put on their own Heritage Day checklists. Their answers included plenty of food, family, animals, music, wild spaces, and the values they hope to pass on.
So, we took a few notes.
Gather Your People
Ask South Africans how to bring people together and the answer will probably involve food.
For Angelique Janse van Rensburg, it’s “any type of braai”. Meghan Cyster agrees, describing the braai as a distinctly South African way of gathering around a fire to share laughter and memories.
But the gathering doesn’t start when the fire is lit. For Meghan, it starts around the family table. She remembers those everyday meals as a time to connect and simply be present. Angelique is determined to carry that tradition forward by making time for breakfast and dinner together as a family.
And then, of course, there’s the menu.
The finalists’ Heritage Day plates included boerewors, steak, chops, pap, potato salad, braai broodjies, pampoenkoekies, biltong, melktert, and peppermint crisp tart. There was also no shortage of strong opinions about who makes it best.
Carika’s husband is her braai legend. Aleche Landman’s husband Hertzog takes care of the rib-eye, and she’ll handle the potato bake.
Some things, it seems, are best kept in the family.
Make Room for Four-Legged Family
Of course, no South African family gathering is complete until everyone has arrived. And “everyone” often includes the pets who have earned their place in the family.
Angelique says dogs are treated as children in her home. Meghan’s cats bring comfort and companionship, while also helping teach her children empathy and patience. On Aleche’s farm, animals are part of everyday life, teaching her children about responsibility and caring for nature.
Carika describes the relationship rather beautifully: animals represent “the purest form of unconditional love”, and caring for them is a privilege.
When we asked what their pets would add to their Heritage Day checklist, the answers were suitably pet-like.
Angelique’s dog would just like a spot on her lap while everyone celebrates. Carika’s pet has one priority, which is a special treat straight off the grill. Meghan’s cat would find the best sunny spot and quietly admire the family connection. Aleche’s animals, meanwhile, would rather be swimming in the farm dams and chasing birds.
Honestly, it’s hard to argue with any of them.
Get to Know Your Own Backyard
South Africa’s natural spaces and historic places also featured strongly in the finalists’ answers.
Angelique and Aleche both chose Kruger National Park as a destination everyone should experience at least once. Carika chose Cape Town, while Meghan chose Robben Island for its significance in our history.
For Aleche, that connection to the natural world comes with a responsibility. She hopes the next generation will understand conservation and still have the chance to see rhinos and other wild animals living freely in their natural environment.
Heritage can be found in some of the country’s biggest landmarks, but it can also be closer to home. A favourite hiking trail. A family farm. A beach you grew up visiting.
Perhaps the checklist simply calls for spending a little more time appreciating the South Africa on your doorstep.
Turn Up the Soundtrack
Heritage isn’t always something you can see. Sometimes you hear it.
For Angelique, it’s the South African national anthem. Meghan immediately thought of “Sister Bethina” by Mgarimba, while Carika chose PJ Powers’ “World in Union”.
Aleche went in a completely different direction, with the unmistakable sound of a guinea fowl.
That’s the thing about the sounds that take us home. They don’t have to make sense to everyone. It might be a song, a language, a familiar accent, a stadium crowd, or a family member calling you by your nickname.
You’ll know it when you hear it.
Wear Your Colours with Pride
Heritage Day is also a chance for us to think about what we want to carry forward. At Dotsure, that starts with people.
Our tribe includes wholehearted employees, caring partners, dedicated vets, and policyholders who trust us to look after the things that matter to them. It includes the people and organisations we support through Soft Landings, too.
For 30 years, Soft Landings has been part of the Badger Holdings story, providing practical support to people facing difficult circumstances. Showing up and putting care into action are values we’re proud to carry forward.
That’s what we mean when we talk about our vibe attracting our tribe. We’re drawn to people who care about what they do.
Keep the Good Stuff Going
Perhaps the most important part of this checklist is what we choose to pass on.
The finalists had different answers when asked what they hope the next generation will inherit. Angelique hopes for a strong work ethic, friendliness, and the ability to find humour when life gets tough. Meghan hopes for kindness, respect, and compassion. Carika spoke about faith and putting God first, while Aleche hopes future generations will protect our natural environment.
Different answers, but a familiar thread. It’s important to preserve the things we inherit, but also to decide which values deserve to be passed on.
From everyone at Dotsure, happy Heritage Day!
We’re proud to celebrate everything that make this country ours to love and care for.
Dotsure Limited (Registration number 2006/000723/06) is a licensed non-life insurer and authorised financial services provider (FSP39925).
