The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Joe Phaahla and MEC Xoliswa Tom will visit Nkantolo village in Mbizana, Eastern Cape on Friday, 21 September. The purpose of the visit is to assess progress on integrated plans to develop the area and revitalise local economic activity. The service delivery areas identified includes, Heritage, Roads, Electricity, Water, Thusong Centre and Human Settlements.
Nkantolo is the birthplace of a former African National Congress (ANC) President, late Mr Oliver Reginald Tambo. There are plans to rehabilitate existing structures such as the homestead at which Mr Tambo grew up and build other new installations. This project forms part of the Legacy Heritage Projects of the Department of Arts and Culture. These include a Garden of Remembrance, Interpretation Centre and an exhibitions hall.
The visit is in line with the theme for the 2012 Heritage Month celebrations: “Celebrating the Heroes and Heroines of the Struggle for Liberation in South Africa” which seeks to honour those who worked hard to ensure that South Africa achieved democracy. We believe that this project will not only serve to preserve the work of Mr Tambo and but also benefit the larger community and the entire country. There is a lot we can tell about our heritage and it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations and the world at large. Members of the media are invited to attend.
Date: 21 September 2012
Time: 11h00 to 13h00
Venue: OR Tambo homestead, Nkantolo, Mbizana
Enquiries:
Sandiswa Memela
Cell: 079 038 2381
Premi Appalraju
Cell: 082 903 6778
Deputy Minister Phaahla leads visit to OR Tambo's birthplace
