KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize has called on the province's citizens to embrace one another regardless of their cultural, racial or ethnic background.

Mkhize told thousands of people during heritage day celebrations in Pietermaritzburg that xenophobia and other forms of discrimination had no place in a democracy.

"Our people must be taught to accept all people and fight against xenophobia and bring to an end all forms of political intolerance that caused brother to murder brother," said Mkhize.

The event was attended by all provincial cabinet and parliament members with a good mix of cultural groups and also offered a chance for people to taste dishes from different cultural backgrounds.

The Premier also pointed out that in a global village it was always important for all nations to help one another in fighting poverty, disease and other challenges facing humanity.

"We have to fight crime, the proliferation of drugs in our schools and communities," he said.

Heritage day, according to Mkhize, should be a celebration of the contribution made by many communities to the political, social and economic spheres in pursuit of development.