Find Your Connection: Zeitz MOCAA Opens Its Doors for Heritage Day

Picture of the ZEITA MOCCA BUILDING

 Heritage Day is around the corner, and Zeitz MOCAA is inviting Cape Town to celebrate art, culture, creativity and community on Thursday, 24 September. The museum will open its doors to the public for free from 10am to 6pm, offering visitors a full day of activities, from multilingual architecture tours and curator-led tours to creative workshops, live performances, food and family-friendly experiences. Speaking to BackChat, Talia Naicker, a project manager at Zeitz MOCAA, said the museum is welcoming everyone, whether they are local, visiting from elsewhere in South Africa or even from outside the country. 

Talia Naicker at Bush Radio

“There is a lot to see and do on the day,” Naicker said, explaining that visitors will have the opportunity to explore the museum while also experiencing entertainment and performances throughout the day. A major part of the celebration is making art and culture accessible. For Naicker, Heritage Day should not only be about looking back at tradition and legacy, but also about engaging with what is happening in the present. She explained that Zeitz MOCAA focuses on contemporary art and wants people of all ages to engage with the stories being told by African artists today, while also helping to raise the next generation of creatives. 

Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn more about the building itself through multilingual architecture tours. Although Zeitz MOCAA has only been open for nine years, the historic Grain Silo building in  which it is housed is more than 100 years old. The tours will take visitors through the transformation of the building and how it changed from its original purpose into the museum it is today. 

Beyond the architecture, the museum’s contemporary art exhibitions will give visitors another way to connect with heritage. Naicker said contemporary art is sometimes misunderstood as something that is not meant for the everyday person, but she believes it can allow people to recognise their own experiences, discover different stories and explore their identities. The museum’s focus also extends beyond South Africa, with stories that connect to the wider African continent and its diaspora. 

Naicker after the interview 

For families, the Heritage Day programme includes creative workshops for different age groups. A new children’s workshop will be inspired by one of the museum’s exhibitions, while the Silo Tote Bag Workshop returns after proving popular since it was introduced during the museum’s first Heritage Day celebration in 2024. Naicker said the tote bag workshop has continued to attract strong interest, giving adults and teenagers a space to sit down, be creative and take their decorated tote bag home afterwards. |

There is also a new experience called the Art Patrol, which will give visitors an inside look at what happens behind the scenes when it comes to caring for artwork. Participants will join members of the museum team and learn more about what it takes to look after and protect objects in a museum environment. 

And, of course, Heritage Day would not be complete without food. Makers Landing will power a market outside the museum, with more than 20 vendors showcasing local businesses, flavours and cuisines from different cultures. Visitors can spend time outside, enjoy the food and take a break while exploring the museum throughout the day. 

Naicker with the Host
Unathi Ngomana

The theme of the celebration is “Find Your Connection” to heritage. Naicker explained that Zeitz MOCAA views heritage as something that is still alive and being created in the present, rather than something that only belongs to the past. This idea also connects with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s 2026 Heritage Day mandate, which Naicker described during the interview as viewing heritage as a living being. 

The museum will also launch the Bloomberg Connects app alongside its Heritage Day programme. The app will provide detailed wayfinding around the museum, information about the day’s programme and additional information about the exhibitions. According to Naicker, the app will remain available beyond Heritage Day, allowing visitors to continue exploring the museum at their own pace.

For those planning to attend with family and friends, Naicker recommends arriving early and wearing comfortable shoes. With more than five floors of exhibitions, there will be plenty of walking and plenty to explore. She also encouraged visitors to bring a sense of curiosity and be willing to try something new. 

Heritage Day at Zeitz MOCAA will take place on Thursday, 24 September, from 10am to 6pm, with free entry for everyone. With art, architecture, workshops, performances, food and activities for the whole family, the museum is preparing to turn the day into an opportunity for people to explore culture while finding their own connection to heritage.

 Naicker’s invitation is simple: if you believe in the power of creativity and the power of connection, come spend Heritage Day at Zeitz MOCAA. 

Written By Unahi Ngomana