The North West Provincial Government is happy and geared up to host South Africans on Wednesday, 24 September 2014 at James Motlatsi Stadium, Orkney, in celebrating national Heritage Day. The Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will be accompanied by amongst others the Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa and Premier of the North West province Supra Mahumapelo, is expected to give a keynote address at the event.
As part of the celebration, a military veteran from Tigane Township in Matlosana Local Municipality, Johannes Kraai, will become the first beneficiary of the Military Veterans’ Build 2014, a programme that is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements in partnership with the Department of Military Veterans. This programme is part of government’s commitment to support and recognise military veterans for their contribution to bring about the realisation of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Africa. The handing over of the house to Kraai will be done by the Deputy President.
The theme for this year’s Heritage Month is “Celebrating 20 Years of Democracy: Tell your story that moves South Africa Forward!” The theme encourages South Africans to tell their stories as part of celebrating 20 years of democracy. South Africa is a country with a great story to tell, a story of struggle and victory and a commitment to work together to foster nation building and social cohesion.
This year’s Heritage Month presents an opportunity to remind the nation of our rich heritage through oral history narrations, exhibitions, poetry, book-reading sessions, music and dance. These activities will help reinforce efforts for the promotion and preservation of our collective memory and encourage as sense of common belonging and a shared history.
Premier Mahumapelo, who has prioritised culture as one of the strategic pillars of economic development, says the North West province, which has a rich tapestry of cultural activities, remains steadfast in its commitment to the preservation of our heritage and indigenous knowledge practices.
Activities that have been lined up as part of the province’s heritage month programme include, amongst others, Dialogues on 20 years of democracy and telling of heritage stories, Dialogue with Rastafarians, and launching a book on land, chiefs and mining.
The national Heritage Day celebration details are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Time: 09h00
Venue: James Motlatsi Stadium, Orkney, North West Province
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana, Office of the Premier
Cell: 082 901 2435
Shirley Montsho, Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs
Cell: 082 345 9525
Mack Lewele, Department of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 450 5076
Teresa Magidela, Department of Arts and Culture
Cell: 072 222 3169
