The Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile cordially invites members of the media to witness the repatriation of the remains of the Khoisan couple, Klaas and Trooi Pienaar.
This historic homecoming has been years in the planning and it is no coincidence that the Pienaars final return to the soil of their birth comes in April, when we celebrate our hard won freedom.
The Pienaar’s, bodies were illegally exhumed and shipped to Austria in 1909, where they became part of what is today described has racial ‘research’, undertaken by Austrian scientist, Rudolf Poch, who back in the early 1900’s became international know for his work as a travelling scientific explorer. Poch worked in a range of fields including anthropology and ethnography. The remains of the Pienaars were part of more than 80 human remains he had taken from South Africa.
After some years of negotiation, agreement was finally reached between the South African and Austrian Governments on the return of the Pienaar remains.
Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Joe Phaahla and a delegation of officials, academics and San community members are accompanying the remains of the Pienaars on their return journey home, more than hundred years after they were smuggled out of the country and subjected to years of medical research.
The repatriation is part of the government’s efforts to restore dignity to the victims of colonialism and racism. In January 2002, Sarah Baartman’s remains were returned to South Africa, finally putting an end to the many years of exploit she endured, aboard.
Please Note: arrangements have been made to facilitate the media capturing the arrival of the remains.
Camera operators and photographers are to meet at the time and venue below:
Arrival time: 07h30
Venue: ACSA Media Centre
Date: 20 April 2012 (Friday)
N.B. Transport has been organised to ferry the media to an area where they can film the proceedings.
Confirmations for the photo opportunity should be directed to Mantshele Tau on 082 802 4814, e-mail: mantshele@typgroup.co.za or mttygroup@gmail.com
Media briefing:
Minister Mashatile and his Deputy will address the media as follows:
Time: 10h00
Venue: ACSA Media Centre
Media confirmations are very important for planning purposes.
RSVP:
Confirmations should be directed to:
Patience Mogotsi
Cell: 071 680 6709
Tel: 012 441 3083
E-mail: patience@dac.gov.za
Mantshele Tau
Cell: 082 802 4814
E-mail: mantshele@typgroup.co.za or mttygroup@gmail.com
For more information and media interviews please contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile to receive 'remains' of Khoisan couple from Austria
