Jintao's substantial grant to the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)
5 February 2007
The Minister of Arts & Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan will receive a cheque
of a substantial amount on behalf of the African World Heritage Fund which will
be donated by the President of China, Hu Jintao.
The event is the cultural highlight of the President's three day visit to
South Africa which ends on Wednesday, 7 February. The occasion will take place
at Maropeng on Wednesday at 5pm and will be attended by a high profile
delegation from both the South African and Chinese governments, important
stakeholders and guests.
"Our greatest challenge remains providing material resources to African
heritage institutions to enable them to do what we all know should be done.
This gesture by the Chinese government is aimed towards helping us as Africans
to walk the talk when it comes to concrete programmes to make sure that more of
our heritage sites are restored, preserved and promoted as world heritage
sites."
"Over the last few months there have been discussions around a vision of
creating a fund for the African Continent which will look at addressing
challenges in conserving and protecting heritage sites of this continent."
"It is significant to note that China has not only just contributed to the
cost of the feasibility study but has now given a substantial amount of money
towards the preservation of our world heritage sites," said Minister Z P
Jordan. The Fund itself was launched on 5 May 2006. However, the AWHF will
start functioning operationally from 1 April 2007. It will be housed at and
utilise the systems of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in
Midrand, South Africa.
The fundraising target of US$10 million within two years has been set for an
endowment for the AWHF. South Africa was the first to pledge an immediate
contribution of ZAR 20 million (approximately US$3,3 million) towards the
target of an initial capital endowment. This makes the Chinese donation the
second largest pledge.
It is well known that Africa, out of a total of over 788 World Heritage
sites internationally, in 134 countries, has only 63 sites on the list. The aim
of the Fund is to change this unacceptable state of affairs.
"The contribution by the Chinese government will make it possible for
Africa's rich, diverse, natural tangible and intangible heritage to be
rehabilitated and preserved for future generations," said Jordan.
Date: Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Time: 16h15
Event: MAROPENG � Cradle of Humankind � Visit by President Hu Jintao and
delegation of China to contribute to African World Heritage Fund
Media Accreditation: Reshma Lakha-Singh at 082 852 8405 / 082 928 5700 by, 6
February 2007. Identity/ passport number is required.
For further details, call:
Sandile Memela
Spokesman for the Ministry of Arts & Culture
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 903 6778
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
5 February 2007
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za/)
