Castle of Good Hope to close off year-long 350th commemoration in national tribute to honour their Majesties King Cetyhwayo, King Langalibalele, King Sekhukhune and Gorochoqua Clan (Khoe-San) freedom fighter doman
The Castle of Good Hope will on the 9th of December 2016, hold a national tribute in honour of three indigenous warrior-kings, their majesties King Cetshwayo kaSenzangakhona of amaZulu, King Langalibalele kaMthimkulu of amaHlubi, King Sekhukhune of BaPedi and Gorochougua clan freedom fighter and Khoe (khoisan) leader Doman all of whom, at different periods, were captured and incarcerated at the castle after having led various wars of resistance against the land and cattle dispossessions that ensued following the arrival of Dutch and later British settlers in South Africa.
The Castle of Good Hope (CGH) under the direction of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula – MP, as its oversight authority, has organised and coordinated a year-long program of action to mark the watershed moment of the 350th year of the existence of the oldest building in South Africa, which was also recently declared a national heritage site.
Under the theme ‘Freedom from Oppression’ government, through the Castle of Good Hope’s 350th year-long commemorative program, has sought to not only correct historical biases and inaccuracies around our shared and often difficult history, but also to galvanise South Africans to debate and dialogue as well as reshape the common narrative around our national symbols with the aim of advancing the post-colonial and apartheid efforts of national reconciliation and nation building.
- Statues in honour of their majesties, Kings Cetshwayo, Langalibalele, Sekhukhune and
- Khoisan freedom fighter Doman will be unveiled.
Their majesties; Isilo Samabandla Goodwill Zwelithini of amaZulu, Kgoshigolo Kenneth k Sekhukhune of BaPedi, Inkosi Manzewenkosi Radebe kaLangalibalele of amaHlubi and King Calvin Johannes of the Khoe (Khoisan) will be in attendance.
A high-tech training facility to be named the ‘Centre for Memory and Learning’, in tribute to the slaves at the Castle of Good Hope who were forbidden from reading and writing will also be unveiled.
The Centre for Memory and Learning will serve as the nodal skills transfer and training site for military veterans under the coordination and programs of the Department of Military Veterans.
The main functionary of the Castle of Good Hope 350th Commemoration National Tribute event is expected to be the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob G Zuma.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
- Access to the event will only be granted to media who have been accredited.
- The accreditations process will be strictly coordinated and facilitated by Defence Intelligence.
There are only two accreditation centres nationally, namely;
- Air Force Base Waterkloof
- Air force Base Ysterplaat
Accreditation will open from Monday the 28th of November 2016 till the 9th of December 2016 from 8am till 5pm.
Members of the media are requested to produce their South African identity document; foreign correspondents are requested to produce a valid passport over and above an authentic media/press identification card.
For further enquiries on the accreditations process, kindly contact:
Cell: 072 998 8607 (Operational)
E-mail: event.accreditation@di.mil.za
Enquiries:
Sonwabo Mbananga
Cell: 082 045 3963
E-mail: Sonwabo.mbananga@dod.mil.za / mbanangass@gmail.com
