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Author: Danny Goulkan, 03 June 2009 Mandela Day, 18 July, is one of the best gifts that this country could list to its heritage and national memory. President Zuma in his speech today said “Madiba was politically active for 67 years, and on Mandela Day people all over the world, in the workplace, at home and in schools, will be called upon to spend at least 67 minutes of their time doing something useful within their communities, especially among the less fortunate.”
This is a gratifying announcement that will add to the Ubuntu Campaign of the National Heritage Council. It is a true practical sign of living the adage “Motho ke motho ka batho.” Mandela was the first recipient of the Ubuntu Award in 2006. The Ubuntu revival campaign is recognising international figures who are living examples of the values of Ubuntu. The campaign annually calls on communities to refresh their commitment on what they can do to instil this African philosophy in communities. President Jacob Zuma delivered a balanced speech that touched on issues of making the lives of South Africans better. The economic recession, was as expected one of the main issues of concern in his speech. Over and above the domestic matters of government concern, he sharply raised continental relations. It seems this lays his vision for the African dream. The international economic relations also became a key feature. A few indicators of the elevated priority for heritage development punctuated his speech culminating in his comment “This must provide an opportunity to involve all South Africans in forging an inclusive national identity, to deepen our understanding of our history and heritage.” The mentioning of the leading official national symbols, the flag and the anthem, is in itself a call for unity. The symbolism of nation building embedded in these symbols is far greater than what it appears. It is unearthing the rich heritage that this country holds. Again the use of vernacular languages starting with Afrikaans, switching to Sesotho and then to is home language, IsiZulu, was exemplary of the appreciation of language heritage. Other important points that will definitely have an impact on heritage programmes include the newly formed Infrastructure Development Cluster that will ensure that R787 billion is invested in infrastructure development. Together with the intention to implement a comprehensive rural development strategy places an opportunity for the heritage sector not to allow the preservation of this country’s treasures to disappear from the radar of development. It is an opportunity that this country should embrace to preserve its public memory to the world by protecting iconic sites not to be swamped by infrastructure. Of course, co-existence should be prioritised where possible and desirable. Many new community development organisations that are especially involved in heritage will benefit from the reduced burden of registering their establishment through the anticipated single integrated business registration system. Communities that rely on seed funding to start their businesses have serious problems in registering their organisations so that they can access funding from companies and the National Heritage Council.
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