preparation for the repatriation and reburial of Mapungubwe human remains
6 November 2007
The national Department of Environmental Affairs, in collaboration with The
Freedom Park Trust and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture in Limpopo,
hosted a Cleansing and Healing Ceremony as well as the return of the spirits on
6 November 2007 at 9h30 at the Mapungubwe National Park.
Mapungubwe is believed to be one of the first states in Southern Africa.
Hailed as the centre of the largest kingdom on the sub-continent, where, in
ancient times, a highly sophisticated civilisation conducted trade with various
other populations such as China, India and Egypt. The origins of Mapungubwe
Cultural Landscape can be traced back 1 100 years.
The University of Pretoria exhumed the remains of inhabitants of this
ancient society for research purposes. In line with the National Heritage
Resources Act 25 (1999), which facilitates repatriation of human remains, the
Lemba Cultural Association, Leshiba Royal Family, Machete Royal Family, San
Council, Tshivhula Royal Council and Vhangona Cultural Movement have claimed
the human remains of the inhabitants of Mapungubwe. On 29 October 2007, the
Universities of Pretoria and the Witwatersrand as well as the National Flagship
Institution released these remains to the bona fide descendants of
Mapungubwe.
Starting with sacred ceremonies on 5 November 2007, traditional activities
were concluded with a Cleansing and Healing Ceremony including the return of
the spirits to Mapungubwe that took place on 6 November 2007.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice
Mabudafhasi described this event "as a dignified return of the spirits of the
Mapungubwe ancestors to their home where they will rest in peace. This is a
very public acknowledgement of the moral case for the return of the remains and
spirits of the Mapungubwe ancestors thus honouring the traditions of
communities and demonstrating the generosity of spirit that this process
required of all of us."
According to Mongane Wally Serote, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The
Freedom Park Trust, repatriation and reburial are organically linked to
cleansing, healing and return of the spirits. Since its inception, The Freedom
Park Trust has initiated a number of cleansing and healing ceremonies,
nationally as well as in Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Tanzania, the United
States of America and Namibia, to assist the South African nation in the
process of forgiveness, reconciliation and moving forward as a united
nation.
Serote explains that throughout the world it is common practice that when
people die, they are normally buried at home or somewhere that the family
members have access to. "Where individuals die on battlefields or where it is
impossible to physically bring remains home, Africans traditionally bring them
back home, so that they are integrated with a pool of ancestors who will look
after the living. Failure to bring these spirits home renders it impossible for
the particular families to integrate their loved ones with their ancestors and
thus prevents a sense of closure in that family."
"Cleansing and healing cuts across beliefs, traditions, customs and culture
in the African continent. As such, the ceremony will allow different groups to
perform rituals according to their belief system. A space will also be
identified for descendents to intercede once the ceremonies have been
concluded."
When delivering a keynote address at this ceremony, the MEC for Sports, Arts
and Culture in Limpopo, Joyce Mashamba remarked that "this cleansing ceremony
once again confirms the role of traditional healers and elderly people as
mediators between communities and their ancestors. This occasion reaffirms the
value of ubuntu in our societies - the willingness to be of service to others
and be the promoter of peace and harmony in the community."
The Freedom Park will open its doors for public visitation in late November
2007.
For more information and tour details phone:
Tel: 012 470 7400
E-mail: info@freedompark.co.za
PS: The Freedom Park Trust will from now on no longer use the concept
Cleansing and Healing but the concept of U hlapa, matsediso le o tsenya
badimo.
Enquiries to:
Moses Rannditsheni
Media Liaison Officer: Office of the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 448 2450
E-mail: mrannditsheni@deat.gov.za
Ilse Posselt
Freedom Park
Cell: 079 515 3371
E-mail: ilse@freedompark.co.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Freedom Park
Trust
6 November 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za)
