Balindlela at the launch of Heritage Month Celebrations, East London
1 September 2006
Programme Director
Minister of Arts and Culture, Honourable Dr Pallo Jordan
Honourable Deputy Minster Ms Botha
Vice Chancellor Prof Derrick Swartz
Mayors of the Buffalo City and Amathole Districts
Traditional Leaders
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Today is the launch of the Heritage Month. The Heritage day, which we
celebrate on 24 September, marks a significant milestone in the struggle for
liberation in South Africa. It has been transformed into a day of
reconciliation as opposed to a day of hostility and division and to remember
with gratitude and humility the sacrifices made by South Africans of all
colours.
A nation without a past or that does not celebrate that which enriched the
fabric of its society is lost. The Eastern Cape contains a huge heritage of
cultural history from songs to dance to museums and listed house.
This yearâs theme is: âCelebrating Living Heritage with a sub theme,
âCelebrating our music, or heritageâ. A few days ago I paid visit to the
African National Congress (ANC) archives and the De Beers Art Gallery housed at
the University of Fort Hare.
Artistic work by artists such as Dumile Feni Mhlaba, Gerald Sekoto, Pemba
and various artists from the Eastern Cape like Pauline Ingle who captured the
rural folks in their traditional regalia tell stories of our past. I also
observed the Indigenous Music Ensemble performed by the music students, which I
understand is the first in any University. I ask all of you to take time and
teachers to take students to visit such places in this month.
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture plays a prominent role
in organising activities to mark commemorative days. I would like to mention a
few schedules of activities during the month of September. There will be an
opening of the Wall of Fame Exhibition which will commemorate local sportsmen
and women in Port Elizabeth on 2 September 2006. It will soon be followed by
the Sibuyembo Festival, a living cultural heritage indaba aimed at showcasing
the areaâs rich cultural diversity.
The Eastern Cape government entered into a partnership with the House of
Traditional Leaders with an aim at ensuring traditional leaders as custodians
of the countryâs culture and heritage play a prominent role in conservation and
commemoration of heritage resources and national days such as the Heritage Day.
These and many other activities for this month indicate that we have a lot to
celebrate in the Eastern Cape. We will support all these events by taking our
children so that they will learn about where they are coming from.
With those words, Programme Director, I wish to welcome everyone to the
province. It is a special honour for me to welcome the Honourable Minister of
Arts and Culture, Doctor Pallo Jordan. We will benefit from your wisdom and
take seriously your advice for us to grow in our heritage as a province.
I thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
1 September 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
