Historical Sites Major Tourist Destinations – Mashatile

Acting President Paul Mashatile has called on South Africans to seize the opportunity to promote heritage sites as major tourism destinations that contribute to socio-economic development, promote people-to-people contacts and foster social cohesion.

Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the Heritage Day commemoration at the Meqheleng Stadium in Ficksburg on Tuesday.

“As we celebrate Heritage Month, which coincides with Tourism Month, we must seize this opportunity to show the nation the importance of our heritage sites across the country as tourism destinations of choice that have the potential to contribute to socio-economic development, foster people-to-people relationships and strengthen social cohesion.

“On this day, we should also celebrate our cultural diversity, our inherited sense of family identity, our traditions, cultural wealth and artefacts that have been passed down from generation to generation, especially since the dawn of democracy,” he said.

The Acting President called on South Africans to reflect on 30 years of democracy, which in itself is a milestone that underscores the country’s diversity and heritage.

He noted that it is also crucial that the country recognizes and remembers the courageous individuals like JB Marks and Moses Kotane and many others who gave everything for the great gift of our freedom.

The theme of Heritage Day 2024 is: ‘We celebrate the lives of our heroes and heroines who gave their lives for our freedom.’

Mashatile said the theme is fitting as it offers the country an opportunity to honour the lives of those who braved adversity with unwavering courage and stood up against injustice and oppression.

“The commemoration of our heritage is the result of the sacrifices and efforts of those who came before us, who fought against apartheid and stood up for social justice and human rights.

“It is therefore important that we as a nation preserve the memory of those who fought for our freedom. They dedicated and sacrificed their lives to defending our country, as well as to affirming the values ​​and principles that must be upheld. It is because of their courage, resilience and steadfast dedication that we have a better future for generations to come,” he said.

Mashatile stressed the importance of honoring heroes of the struggle and educating future generations about their sacrifices.

As part of this process and in honour of the freedom fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, Mashatile stressed that the country will pay tribute to those who fell beyond its borders.

A homecoming ceremony will take place on Friday, with President Ramaphosa officially receiving the repatriated remains from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

As South Africa celebrates three decades of democracy, the country looks back on its rich heritage but also acknowledges persistent challenges such as unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The Acting President also urged citizens to unite and embrace diversity in the pursuit of a more equal society where opportunities are not determined by color, gender, class or religion.

“To address these ongoing challenges, we must unite and celebrate our diversity as we strive for a more equal society where opportunities are not determined by color, gender, class or religion.

“This would involve improving people’s skills through access to equal education, quality health care for all and provision of basic amenities, facilitating employment opportunities and shifting economic ownership patterns,” he said.

Mahsatile further said that the government, interfaith, civil society and traditional leaders must work together to eliminate persistent inequalities and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) that are prevalent in our communities. He added that all forms of criminality and GBVF undermine the government’s efforts to promote the culture of social cohesion and moral regeneration.

“We cannot allow anyone to hide vicious abuse under the guise of one’s belief system and culture. It must be said that no nation can condone any form of abuse against women, children and the most vulnerable in society, including the LGBTQIA+ community. To demonstrate our commitment to the fight against GBVF, the government has introduced new laws to protect women and children,” he said.

He stressed that the President signed the bill of the National Council against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide on May 24, 2024.

This new legislation is an important step towards protecting women and children from abuse and violence. It establishes a council that provides strategic leadership in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

Mashatile called for addressing issues surrounding heritage resources in public spaces, which continue to pose a challenge to defining a collective cultural identity and building a nation united in its diversity.

“In our country, the impact of apartheid is still visible and the wounds of past divisions and inequality remain unresolved. Therefore, we must continue to build on what unites us and address issues that seek to divide us as a nation.

“By understanding and celebrating our shared heritage, we can bridge the divides that divide us and move forward as a united and inclusive society,” he said.

He added that the realities of the political climate in the country under the Government of National Unity also provide an opportunity to collectively reimagine what the legacy of good governance in South Africa could look like.

“Our ability to look beyond our differences and come together on a shared agenda to achieve inclusive growth, employment and poverty reduction is one of the examples of the government demonstrating its commitment to unity through diversity,” he said.

Mashatile also called on various sectors in society to work with the South African Heritage Resource Agency to develop the skills and capacities of the community to identify and protect heritage resources.

“We must safeguard and protect our heritage from forms of neglect and threats such as natural disasters, urbanization, globalization and developments that challenge the preservation of our most cherished monuments, artifacts and traditions.

“All communities in the Free State Province, including Ficksburg, have a responsibility to protect and preserve historical sites such as the Old Prison Cells and the General Fick Museum. We need to educate young people about the significance of such sites as they are an important part of who we are and where we come from,” he said.

He also called for a renewed commitment to heritage conservation, stressing that this is not only important for preserving the past, but also for shaping South Africa’s future.

“Our heritage is more than a collection of artifacts; it defines who we are and where we are going as a nation,” he said.

Mashatile stressed the need to protect both tangible and intangible heritage. He highlighted the connections between different communities through shared living heritage, including oral history, belief systems, cultural practices and indigenous knowledge.

Noting that these elements are fundamental to the nation’s identity, he said: “Preserving intangible cultural heritage is vital to maintaining our integrity, values ​​and mutual respect.”

He urged all stakeholders – families, NGOs, traditional and interfaith leaders, educational institutions, businesses and media – to commit to the promotion and protection of intangible cultural heritage.

Mashatile encouraged pride in the mother tongue and encouraged South Africans to learn each other’s dialects to promote mutual understanding and respect.

The Acting President called on intellectuals and language practitioners, together with organisations such as the Pan South African Language Board, to implement programmes aimed at preventing the extinction of linguistic knowledge, especially among younger generations.

“As South Africa continues to develop, it is crucial to preserve our heritage for future generations. We must cherish, protect and celebrate the monuments, sites and traditions that define our unique identity, and ensure they are passed on to future generations.

“Most importantly, as we celebrate our rich past and our unique culture, we must remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence. May we never forget the price paid for our freedom, and may we always remember the lives of our heroes and heroines who sacrificed everything for our country,” he said.

Finally, Mashatile called for collective action to preserve the country’s heritage and shape a better future for all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za