In commemoration of Africa Day on 25 May‚ the Department of Arts and Culture is encouraging all Africans to celebrate their heritage by wearing something that represents their home country every Friday in May.

“Now more than ever in South Africa there is a need to acknowledge and celebrate our African-ness – those things that unite us as Africans‚ as well as those that differentiate us from each other and thereby contribute to our vibrant continental diversity‚” the department said in a statement.

“We are asking Africans to share their pride in their roots by wearing something that says ‘I am African’ every Friday‚” says the department. “It could be a bangle‚ or a hat‚ a badge or a hide – even a bagan rega‚ gele or a fez. Anything that identifies you as an African and celebrates your African heritage.