Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s handing over of the Boipatong Memorial to the Sedibeng District Municipality has been welcomed by Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Molebatsi Bopape as one of the most momentous occasions in celebrating the province’s political heritage, and in commemorating the 22nd Anniversary of the Boipatong Massacre.
“The Boipatong Memorial is an important reminder of the sacrifices that were made in order to lead us to a democratic government where all are equal and where our diversity serves to unify us than divide us,” said Bopape. “The aim of this year’s heritage celebrations is therefore to promote and popularise our liberation heritage during the transition phase to democracy and reflect on the socio-economic and political achievements of the post-apartheid South Africa,” she added.
The opening and handing over of the recently completed Boipatong Memorial and Youth Centre is expected to be one of the highlights in the proceedings of the overhauled Heritage Day celebrations, scheduled to be held at Boipatong, in the Vaal, on 24 September 2014.
Premier Makhura will lead this year’s celebrations, to be observed under the theme: “Celebrating 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy: Moving Gauteng forward in reclaiming, restoring and celebrating our liberation and cultural heritage”.
The provincial Heritage Day event will be hosted by the Gauteng provincial government in partnership with Emfuleni and Sedibeng District Municipalities, and sponsors of the memorial, the Gautrain Management Agency.
The celebrations will also include a mass rally at the Boipatong Stadium which will be addressed by the victims and survivor representative groups such as the Khulumane Support Group, Bana ba Modimo, the local church and civic fraternity and the local and provincial political leadership. Gauteng Premier David Makhura will deliver the keynote address.
For media inquiries contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
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E-mail: nomazwen@gpg.gov.za
Contact:
Gugu Ndima
Tel: 011 355 2711
Cell: 076 783 1516
E-mail: Gugu.ndima@gauteng.gov.za
