Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)2021-09-292021-09-292021Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2021). Uniting people through diversity – coming together during times of need. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/202https://youtu.be/za312HXnCoQhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/2021MP4 Video; Size: 242MB; Duration: 1:30Please cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2021). Uniting people through diversity – coming together during times of need. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/202Panellists: Dr Stanley Maphosa, Prof Brij Maharaj (Professor of Geography and Deputy President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha), Sultan Sheikh Yasin Muhammad Yaqeenullah Allamal Yaqen Muhammad (Grand Mufti SA and President of Muslim Supreme Council of South Africa (MUSCOOSA)), Dr Winnie Tshirumbula (Pentecost Church of God). September is heritage month in South Africa, celebrated on 24 September each year by recognising and celebrating the cultural wealth of the nation. South Africa boasts a richness of cultural diversity from the precolonial era to the present. Heritage is an integral component of all communities and links identity to ancestors and for continuity in future generations. Aspects of heritage intersect with our daily cultural traditions, oral history performance, ritual, popular memory, skills and techniques, indigenous knowledge systems and the holistic approach to nature, society, and social relationships. Heritage plays an important role in promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, reconciliation, peace, and economic development. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected some aspects of our cultural practices. These include restrictions on burial practices, our grieving processes, not being able to visit the sick in hospitals, etc. Moreover, the social distancing in informal settlements and rural communities has been a challenge to the young and the old. To celebrate our diversity, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted a webinar with the Religious Sector to discuss these issues, how they have been affected, how they have gone around them and also take recommendations for the future.enHeritage monthSouth African cultureCultural diversityReligionSDG 3Video