P Jordan on presidential visitors' books

15 August 2006

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, has announced that the
Department of Arts and Culture, through its branch National Archives, has
successfully prevented the auctioning of the Visitors’ Book of the Presidential
Official Residence, “Mahlambandlovu”.

This follows a close collaboration with the South African Police Service and
the Presidency.

The visitors’ books were advertised in the Beeld newspaper on 11 August for
auction by “Elusive Boeke and Versamelitems” in Centurion and National Archives
acted in terms of the National Archives Act to secure the books for the
State.

An investigation has been launched by the Detective Branch of the South
African Police Service (SAPS) in Lyttelton and the visitors’ books for the
period 1979 to 1992 and from 1994 to 1996 were identified and are now in safe
custody.

These books vividly illustrate the transformation of the country from the
presidencies of P W Botha through to Nelson Mandela.

“We are determined to act vigorously to protect the national heritage of
South Africa from being stolen or smuggled from the country,” said Minister
Jordan.

At present the Department, through the South African Heritage Resources
Agency, is conducting an audit into the national estate as many items are
suspected of having disappeared or of being under threat.

Minister Jordan added that the National Archives Act protects high value
documents of this nature and the National Archives will always take steps to
ensure the recovery of South Africa’s archival heritage when it is
threatened.

Enquiries:
Premi Appalraju
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 375 2939

Issued by: Department Arts and Culture
15 August 2006