Heritage Week Celebrations

During her maiden Budget Vote Speech on 8 July 2014, the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mrs Mathabo Leeto, undertook to “implement the ‘Re Tsoselletsa Botjhaba Ba Rona’ program during which we will organise the Ditema, Diboko and Praise Poetry competitions to ensure that we do not lose our national identity”.

On course to implement her Budget Vote Speech injunctions, MEC Leeto will embark on a programme to give effect to the above undertaking by staging the Heritage Week celebrations from the 16 to 23 September 2014. This Heritage Week celebration will serve as build-up towards the Provincial Heritage Day Celebration that will be staged on the 24 September 2014.

The Heritage Week celebration will be staged across the Free State with various events in district municipalities unfolding as follows: 

Each of the above events will be characterised by a particular theme as follows:

• 16 September, Mangaung Metro: Poetry and Traditional Music
• 18 September, Lejweleputswa District: Heritage Dialogue on customs and Mohobelo.
• 19 September, Fezile Dabi District: Mphabadimo
• 23 September, Setsoto Local Municipality: Re ya Meriting and Bushfire
• 27 September, Thabo Mofutsanyana District: Horse Riding, Chiefs’ Dialogue, Tour of Basotho Cultural Village, Traditional Meal Tasting, Ditema and Lessons on Traditional Music

All these build-up activities will culminate into the Provincial Heritage Day celebration which will be staged under the following arrangements:
Date: 24 September 2014
Venue: Ficksburg Showgrounds, Ficksburg
Time: 09h00

The Provincial Heritage Day celebration programme will be characterised by viewing of Ditema houses, horse riders, majorettes, poetry, traditional music, messages from political principals and traditional leadership as well as exhibitions, amongst others.

The 2014 Heritage Day celebration will be staged under the theme: “Celebrating 20 Years of Democracy: Tell your story that moves South Africa Forward! The theme encourages South Africans to tell their stories as part of celebrating 20 years of democracy. South Africa is a country with a great story to tell, a story of struggle and victory and a commitment to work together to foster nation building and social cohesion.

This year’s Heritage Month will present an opportunity to remind the nation of our rich heritage through oral history narrations, exhibitions, poetry, music and dance. These activities will help reinforce efforts for the promotion and preservation of our collective memory and encourage a sense of common belonging and a shared history.

Free State communities are invited to attend the above events in their districts and the Provincial Heritage Day celebration in Ficksburg dressed in their traditional attires.

Your media house is cordially invited to cover the events.

Media enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Manager: Communication and IT
Cell: 082 940 2392
Tel: 051 410 4742/ 4786/ 4719
E-mail: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za

General enquiries:
Neo Mopeli
Lejweleputswa District Sport and Recreation Council: Administrator
Cell: 073 304 6312
Tel: 057 352 786 6073 304 6312
E-mail: lejwesportcouncil@gmail.com