memorial
2 August 2006
The Mpumalanga Executive Council committee on Social Services consisting of
MEC for Health and Social Services, Pogisho Pasha, MEC for Education,
Siphosezwe Masango and the MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Nomsa Mtsweni
will visit the Samora Machel memorial site at Mbuzini in the Nkomazi
municipality, Mpumalanga on Wednesday, 2 August 2006 from 12h30. The purpose is
to assess developments around the upgrading of the monument and the site, also
to assess the library structure that will be opened prior to the 20th
Anniversary of Samora Machel memorial.
The estimated R11,2 million planned for the renovation and upgrading of
infrastructure in and around the Samora Machel Memorial Site, which was
unveiled on the 19 January 1999, is an initiative of the National Department of
Arts and Culture and was erected in memory of the assassinated Mozambican
leader Samora Machel and 33 others.
It is perceived that once the structure and upgrading of the area is
completed, the memorial site will have a major economic boost for the rural
community of Mbuzini and surrounding areas. The money will be spent on widening
the access road to the site, improving the electricity, water and sanitation
supply for both the site and surrounding communities in the area, and ensuring
the protection and preservation of the site.
The memorial site is expected to create jobs, business opportunities and
become a massive tourist destination that will benefit the community of Mbuzini
and the Inkomazi Municipality. This investment will contribute to the economic
development of the area of Mbuzini. It is expected that a number of much-needed
jobs would be created during and after the construction of the road and
improvement of the parking area, the building of an amphitheatre, a landing
strip for a helicopter (helipad), a library and resource centre. Enlargement of
the access road to the memorial site and to the Chiefâs kraal, water tanks at
the site are also some of the benefits the community will enjoy after the
event.
The library will be resourced with latest editions and efforts will be made
to ensure that the collection includes books in Portuguese and or about
Mozambique and her history.
The library will be part of legacy project that will benefit the community
of Mbuzini. The MEC for Culture Sport and Recreation Nomsa Mtsweni and other
dignitaries to be invited will officially open the library on 6 October
2006.
The commemorative statue of Samora Machel is a donation from the
Anti-Apartheid Norwegian artists. The Department of Culture, Sport and
Recreation through the Provincial Heritage Resources Agency (PHRA) and the
South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) intend to apply for the
memorial site to be declared a national heritage site. The 2Oth anniversary
commemoration on 19 October 2006 is expected to draw high profile statesmen
from various Southern African countries. There will also be an exhibition on
the history of Samora Machel and his role in the liberation struggle in
southern Africa.
A steering committee has been established consisting of local, provincial,
national and Mozambique representative to ensure that thereâs maximum
consultation and collaboration in making the event and the project a
success.
Enquiries: Sanjay Singh
Tel: 013 766 5193
Cell: 0837815697
E-mail: ssingh@mpg.gov.za
Project Manager Sammy Mpatlanyane
Tel: 013 7665014
Cell: 082 923 0550
E-mail: Shmpat@mpg.gov.za
Head Communication
E-mail: Zgama@mpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
2 August 2006
