T Makwetla: Launch of Heritage Research Manuscript

28 March 2006

Our Programme Director, Mr Vuyo Mbuli,
MECs,
The Speaker and Members of the Provincial Legislature,
The CEO of the National Heritage Council,
Our traditional leaders and political leaders of the province,
Honourable Mayors and Councillors,
Our sponsors and partners,
Business leaders and leaders of community organisations,
Senior government managers,
Members of the media,
All dignitaries present,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

On 5 April 1906 in an article which appeared in “The African Abroad”, Pixley
ka Isaka Seme one of the luminaries of the time who six years later went on to
become the first Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) said
and I quote, “I would ask you not to compare Africa to Europe or to any other
continent. I make this request not from any fear that such comparison might
bring humiliation upon Africa. The reason I have is that a common standard is
impossible… The pyramids of Egypt are structures to which the world presents
nothing comparable. The mighty monuments seem to look with disdain on any other
work of human art and to vie with nature itself.”

He concludes that Africa is like the golden sun (at sun set) that having
sunk beneath the horizon still plays upon the world which he sustained and
enlightened in his career.

Programme Director, it gives me great pleasure indeed to stand before you on
behalf of everybody who braved the sometimes irresistible comfort of our
blankets to be part of this function to receive the report of the year long
research into the heritage of our province this morning.

Programme Director, only the gods know why today had to be different from
other normal days as it were. And because we don’t know why it rained all night
long and it is still raining ceaselessly it is not wise to complain. Pity
though that the rising sun of Mpumalanga is not there to witness this
inspirational moment.

First of all allow me on behalf of the province to congratulate the team of
researchers who pulled this project together under the leadership of Professor
Peter Delius and convey our appreciation of their labour and enthusiasm with
which they tackled this assignment. Their contribution will undoubtedly go a
long way towards the advancement of development and the building of cohesive
communities in our province.

At the outset we must reiterate our attitude that this research is by no
means a government research project. The Mpumalanga Government was only the
initiator and facilitator of what is otherwise a professional endeavour
conducted within and observing high scholar ethics, protocols and
discipline.

Consequently, in government we are also straining at the end of the tether
to enter the fray of debate of this exciting story. We hope to express and
exchange views candidly as part of the dialogue this report will generate.

Secondly, as the researchers themselves explained this research is not an
attempt to historicise Mpumalanga as a province. Indeed as a political entity,
Mpumalanga is a new construct that is barely 12 years old.

However, it is true that the land and the people as we all know have a
history with a remarkable depth in time and significance. This history is also
a microcosm of the national history of our country, South Africa.

Consequently, it was expected that the different themes researched in this
project will unavoidably transcend our provincial boundaries because they have
their own historic geographical space within which they occur.

Master of Ceremonies, it is our belief that out of this research we have
procured ourselves as a province a product of many possibilities. In the first
instance it is our hope that out of the public debate that this report will
generate, we will raise the level of awareness in our communities of the
history and who we are (where we come from) and also free us of racial
prejudice, assumptions from which much of colonial history we have been exposed
to, is cast. As a province we now can provide more content to the popular say
that we are the land of the rising sun. We undoubtedly will add to the content
of our national heritage of a common flag, anthem, insignia and the national
values enshrined in our constitution. We will go beyond being the people of the
rainbow.

This research reveals many accounts which are strong arguments that diverse
as we may be as African communities and as the colonial making national groups,
as the former colonised and the colonisers that we belong together and share
common origins. This should help us see ourselves as communities in this
context with a better appreciation of the falsehood of political perspective,
which emphasised our separateness.

Programme Director, the point I am seeking to make is that true
reconstructed common heritage must expedite our endeavours for nation
building.

Ladies and gentlemen, the overarching goal of all our efforts is to realise
a better life for all. Reconstruction, restoration and preservation of our
heritage must therefore have material benefits accruing to the people present
day societies and communities in our province.

We expect that through the restoration of a holistic spectrum of our
heritage many communities will find opportunities for economic livelihoods in
initiatives intended to market this heritage to people from outside our
province and our country. The many unique and peculiar things discovered in
this research must be used to sell our province as a lucrative prospect for
economic activities and business. This research is a timely boost to the
branding and marketing of our province.

Ladies and gentlemen, we believe that among spin-offs of this research will
be the establishment of additional heritage sites, new tourist routes and the
production of films. Last but not least this report should be a resource to
educators for the exploration of local, history in schools and the compilation
of books, websites and other promotional material. Importantly the province
will no longer be found fascinating for its fauna and flora only.

Master of Ceremonies, in conclusion we must make the point that it was never
our understanding that this research will be the whole story about Mpumalanga
nor is it this story and the last word on the heritage of the communities of
this region. We believe that this research report is a platform for further
endeavours to expose and reconstruct this heritage by enthusiasts of issues in
and around history and heritage. It will be one of the important achievements
if this report can trigger interest and more research into many themes of what
constitute our heritage.

We now have a challenge to make this report accessible and available to
everybody. A simplified version for easy reading will be produced and
published. Talking accessibility the provision of translated versions will be
part of the plan.

Programme Director, we have an ambitious plan for the launch several on site
exposes of these findings will be organised over the period of a month to
introduce the public to the heritage in its geographic space.

It now behoves me to put the spotlight on the most important people
today.
First National Bank, our partner and sponsor of this project on behalf of the
administration of this province I wish to express our sincere appreciation of
your passionate commitment to the social upliftment of the people of this
province.

Last but not least the final recognition goes to the custodians of this
work, the National Heritage Council and their generous contribution and advice
towards the success of this project phase. Not forgetting the team of officials
in my office and the communication team that organised the work around this
project.

Thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
28 March 2006