Call for Deepavali to become official public holiday following Unesco recognition

THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Deepavali a public holiday, following the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco's) recent recognition of the festival as intangible cultural heritage.

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This acknowledgment would promote social cohesion, religious diversity, and align with constitutional values in South Africa.

In South Africa and throughout the world, devotees of the eternal Hindu religion, universal in essence, are instilled with profound pride and deep delight with the historic and epoch-making honour bestowed on Deepavali, glorifying it with global significance.