By Phenyo Selinda
Acting President Paul Mashatile has called on South Africans to use the country’s heritage sites as central tourist destinations, contributing to socio-economic development and fostering unity through cultural diversity. Delivering his keynote speech at the Heritage Day commemoration in Meqheleng Stadium, Ficksburg, Mashatile emphasized that the month of September, which celebrates both Heritage and Tourism, is an ideal time to highlight these sites as critical components of national identity and social cohesion.
As South Africa commemorates 30 years of democracy, Mashatile urged citizens to reflect on the country’s journey, celebrating its cultural wealth and the sacrifices made by many to attain freedom. He acknowledged struggle icons like JB Marks and Moses Kotane, highlighting the importance of remembering those who contributed to the nation’s liberation from apartheid and the continued fight for social justice.
The theme for Heritage Day 2024, “Celebrating the Lives of Our Heroes and Heroines Who Laid Down Their Lives for Our Freedom,” is particularly poignant, allowing the country to honor those who demonstrated courage in the face of injustice. Mashatile noted that the legacy of these individuals should inspire the nation to preserve both tangible and intangible heritage, including oral traditions, belief systems, and indigenous knowledge that define South Africa’s collective identity.
Mashatile also addressed the significant socio-economic challenges still confronting the country, including unemployment, poverty, and inequality. He called for unity in tackling these issues, emphasizing that access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities should not be determined by race, gender, or class. In his vision for a more equal society, he reiterated the importance of shifting economic ownership patterns to create a more inclusive and equitable South Africa.
One of the key highlights of his address was the government’s commitment to addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), a persistent challenge in the country. Mashatile announced that the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, signed into law earlier this year, would provide strategic leadership in protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children. He stressed that no belief system or cultural practice should be used to justify abuse, calling on civil society, traditional leaders, and the government to work together to eliminate GBVF.
Mashatile also touched on the need to preserve heritage sites amidst the challenges posed by urbanization, globalization, and climate change. He noted that these factors threaten South Africa’s most treasured landmarks and called for collaboration between various sectors and the South African Heritage Resource Agency to protect these vital resources for future generations. The acting president highlighted sites such as the Old Prison Cells and the General Fick Museum in Ficksburg, urging local communities to educate the youth about the importance of these historical landmarks.
The speech was set against the backdrop of ongoing weather-related challenges in parts of the country. Severe storms, flooding, and snowmelt in regions like KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by heritage sites. Mashatile stressed that the impact of climate change on cultural landmarks underscores the need for proactive policies that protect the nation’s identity while addressing environmental challenges. He called for investment in weather prediction technologies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on both people and cultural heritage.
In closing, Mashatile encouraged South Africans to take pride in their native languages and learn from one another’s cultural practices. He urged institutions such as the Pan South African Language Board to work towards preserving linguistic diversity and promoting mutual understanding across the nation’s diverse cultural landscape.
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