24 October 2007
A ceremony for the symbolic release of the human remains from the Mapungubwe
Cultural Landscape to the representatives of the bona fide descendants of
Mapungubwe will take place at the University of Pretoria on Monday, 29 October
2007. This unique and unprecedented occasion is the outcome of intensive
negotiations involving government, academic institutions, public entities,
civil society and communities.
This event will be addressed by the following dignitaries: Deputy Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MECs,
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of University of Pretoria (UP), Professor Calie
Pistorius, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Flagship Institution (NFI),
Mr Makgolo Makgolo, Chairman of the Indigenous Knowledge System of South Africa
(IIKSA) Board, Dr Wally Serote, Chairperson of Mapungubwe Steering Committee,
Khosi Ramovha.
Representatives of the bona fide descendants of the Mapungubwe people will
receive certificates for the symbolic release of human remains which will be
jointly issued by the institutions that are currently holding the human
remains, namely, the University of Pretoria, Northern Flagship Institution and
Wits University.
There will be a media briefing after the ceremony.
Date: 29 October 2007
Time: 09h30 for 10h00
Venue: Musaion, Main Campus, University of Pretoria Lynnwood Road, Pretoria
To make reservations:
Stella du Plessis
Tel: 012 420 2250
Cell: 082 452 2701
Moses Rannditsheni Matsila
Tel: 012 310 3899
Cell: 082 448 2450
All media houses are invited to attend. The symbolic release of the human
remains precedes the Presidential Ceremony for the commemoration of the
repatriation and reburial of all Mapungubwe human remains which will take place
at Mapungubwe National Park on 20 November 2007.
For more media information, please contact:
Stella du Plessis
Media Manager: University of Pretoria
Tel: 012 420 2250
Cell: 082 452 2701
E-mail: stella.duplessis@up.ac.za
Mr Moses Rannditsheni
Spokesperson: Office of the Deputy Minister
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Tel: 012 310 3899
Cell: 082 448 2450
E-mail: mrannditsheni@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
24 October 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
