September is Heritage Month and Gauteng joins the rest of South Africa to celebrate the diversity, cultures and legacy of its citizens by hosting different activities throughout the month.
According to the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile:
"This important period should be used to foster the importance of preserving our heritage for a solid and brighter future. It should also be about promoting the importance of learning and embracing the rich heritage of South Africa and in pursuing social cohesion and nation-building".
The year 2012 has been nationally declared 'the year of heritage' with the aim of, among others, using the country's heritage as a catalyst in the realisation of Mzansi's golden economy. The strategy (Mzansi Golden Economy) was born from the 2011 National Heritage Summit which explored the potential of the arts, culture and heritage sector. The strategy is based on the belief that the sector is South Africa's 'new gold'.
Accordingly, the sector has the potential to lead economic growth and job creation.
With its different activities for the month, Gauteng has taken the national theme further to use the period to also profile the legacy of the struggle for liberation with plans to unveil sites of importance and working towards the declaration of some institutions as heritage sites, including the Constitutional Hill and the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto.
"Gauteng has given the country a lot when it comes to the liberation of the country and as such we believe it is an important site of heritage in the struggle for liberation". It is home to important sites including the Constitutional Hill, Freedom Park, Apartheid museum, Nelson Mandela museum, the Human Rights (Sharpeville) Precinct, Maropeng, Regina Mundi and more" says MEC Maile.
The move by Gauteng is part of the National Liberation Route project which aims to record Africa's history of liberation by profiling sites, including places of residence and terrains, which are known to have hosted activities and combatants of the struggle for liberation.
Heritage Day:
On 24 September 2012, Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, will lead the provincial event in celebrating Heritage Day at Maropeng, the Cradle for Humankind. The proceedings will also include the Provincial Indigenous Games where the public will also have an opportunity to play games including diketo, kgati (skipping), intonga (stick-fight) and more. Also on the menu is the tour of the area (Maropeng) and entertainment by different artists.
Other Heritage Month activities:
Activity: Provisional declaration of Constitutional Hill as a heritage site
Date: 22 September 2012
Venue: Constitutional Hill, Parktown
Unveiling of nominated National Liberation Heritage sites,26 September 2012,OR Tambo Memorial, Ekurhuleni.
Enquiries:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
E-mail: nomazwen@gpg.gov.za
Gauteng heritage celebrations
Province
