Indian community over the documentation centre
15 April 2009
The MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism Mrs Weziwe Thusi has met with the
Steering Committee tasked with overseeing the safe keeping of precious Indian
artefacts and documents in the custody of the department.
The meeting heard details of the progress made since the artefacts were
moved from the documentation centre to three places for safe keeping. Delegates
agreed on how issues around the artefacts should be handled. The meeting agreed
that going forward.
* The steering committee will meet monthly.
* The department will work closely with the committee to identify the artefacts
and come up with an inventory.
* Donors will be consulted for the purpose of identifying the items they
donated.
Donor organisations, families and individuals are urged to contact the
department to assist the department in the identification process. Donors can
contact the General Manager Library Service and Archives Mrs Sbongile Nzimande
on 033 264 3400.
Mrs Thusi and the delegation then visited the building, which is currently
under renovation, where the artefacts will eventually be stored. They also
visited the Durban Archives Repository where some of the items are being
kept.
The MEC and the delegation are very happy with the progress made so far and
how the precious items are being handled by the department. A date will be set
for the delegation to view the items stored at the library and archives
repository in Pietermaritzburg.
Mrs Thusi said "I am satisfied with the work of the department and I am
confident that the misunderstanding and communication breakdown which led to
unpleasant stories in the media have finally come to an end. Hopefully we will
now proceed with a common understanding that we all value these items and they
are a part of our history as a province."
"I gave everyone my phone number today to ensure that where there appears to
be a problem they can contact me directly and we can resolve whatever problem
together but I am confident we are past the misunderstandings and we are all
committed to seeing this process through."
The committee will meet again next month.
For more information please contact:
Ncumisa Fandesi
Cell: 083 447 0958
Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
15 April 2009
