3 October 2006
The provincial government of the Western Cape will proudly host a fitting
function to welcome about 250 delegates, representing 40 African and overseas
countries, in the Whale Well at the Iziko Museum tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 October
2006.
The delegates will be in Cape Town for the 2nd General Assembly and
Conference of the International Council of African Museums (AFRICOM) which will
be focusing on intangible heritage. The conference brings together museum and
heritage professionals from Africa and beyond to discuss the management,
promotion and protection of living heritage, potential threats as well as its
value as an asset for the African continent. At the same event, the South
African Museums Association (SAMA) will launch its booklet on Professional
Standards and Transformation Indicators.
MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Whitey Jacobs who is one of the main
speakers to address the delegates is expected to urge them to develop practical
strategies to market the rich living heritage of African countries in a manner
that benefits communities through sustainable job creation for the continent.
He says, "The presence in Cape Town of heritage practitioners from our
continent at the 2nd AFRICOM Conference illustrates and is a valuable
contribution towards the search and preservation of our African heritage that
was almost destroyed by many, many years of colonialisation. The deliberations
at the conference will certainly contribute greatly towards realising New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and African renaissance
ideals."
A cultural programme that epitomises the true diversity of the Western Cape
will be showcased to keep delegates entertained between speeches.
All news media are invited to attend as follows:
Date: 4 October 2006
Venue: Whale Well, South African Museums, Companies Gardens, Victoria Street,
Cape Town
Time: 19h00
Enquiries:
Mandla Yeki
Tel: (021) 483 9804
Fax: (021) 483 9801
Mobile: 082 553 3477
Issued by: Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, Western
Cape Provincial Government
3 October 2006
