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Acting President Paul Mashatile has urged the South Africans to seize the opportunity to highlight heritage sites as key tourist destinations, contributing to socio-economic development, fostering people-to-people connections, and promoting social cohesion.

Mashatile was delivering the keynote address during the Heritage Day commemoration at Meqheleng Stadium, Ficksburg, on Tuesday. 

“As we celebrate Heritage Month, which coincides with Tourism Month, we should use this opportunity to showcase to the nation the significance of our heritage sites across the country as tourist destinations of choice that have the potential to contribute to socio-economic development, promote people-to-people relations and enhance social cohesion.

“On this day, we should also celebrate our cultural diversity, our inherited sense of family identity, our traditions, cultural wealth, and artefacts passed down through the generations, particularly since the dawn of democracy,” he said. 

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

He noted that it is also critical that the country recognise and remember the courageous individuals such as JB Marks and Moses Kotane and many others who gave their all for the great gift of our freedom. 

The 2024 Heritage Day is celebrated under the theme: "Celebrating the Lives of Our Heroes and Heroines Who Laid Down Their Lives for Our Freedom. 

Mashatile said the theme is fitting because it allows the country to honour the lives of those who confronted adversity with unflinching bravery, and stood up against injustice and oppression. 

“The commemoration of our heritage is a result of the sacrifices and efforts of those who came before us, fighting against apartheid and championing 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 have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to the defence of our country, as well as the assertion of the values and principles that must be upheld. It is because of their bravery, resilience, and resolute commitment that we have a brighter future for generations to come,” he said. 

Mashatile emphasised the importance of honouring struggle heroes and educating future generations about their sacrifices.

As part of this process, and in honour of the freedom fighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Mashatile highlighted that the country will be honouring those who have fallen outside of the borders. 

A homecoming ceremony will take place this Friday in which President Ramaphosa will officially receive the repatriated remains from Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

As South Africa marks three decades of democracy, the nation reflects on its rich heritage while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality. 

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

“To tackle these ongoing challenges, we must unite and celebrate our diversity while striving to create a more equal society where opportunities are not determined by colour, gender, class, or religion.

“This would entail increasing people's skills through access to equal education opportunities, quality health care for all, and provision of basic amenities, as well as facilitating work opportunities and shifting economic ownership patterns,” he said. 

Furthermore, Mahsatile said government, interfaith, civil society formations and traditional leaders must work together to eliminate persisting inequalities and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) which is prevalent in our communities. He added that all acts of criminality, and GBVF undermine government efforts to foster the culture of social cohesion and moral regeneration.

“We must not let anybody conceal evil acts of abuse under the guise of one’s belief system and culture. It has to be said that no nation can condone any form of abuse against women, children and those most vulnerable within society, including the LGBTQIA+ community. To demonstrate our commitment to the fight against GBVF, the government has introduced new laws protecting women and children,” he said. 

He highlighted that on 24 May 2024, the President signed the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill into law.

This new legislation is a significant step towards protecting women and children from abuse and violence, by way of establishing a council to provide strategic leadership in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

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

“In our country, the impact of apartheid remains visible, and the wounds of past divisions and inequalities remain unresolved. Therefore, we need to continue to build on that which unites us and deal with issues that seek to divide us as a nation. 

“It is through understanding and celebrating our shared heritage that we can begin to bridge the gaps that divide us and move forward as a united and inclusive society,” he said. 

He added that the reality of the nation’s political climate under the Government of National Unity, also gives an opportunity to collectively re-imagine what the heritage of good governance in South Africa can look like. 

“Our ability to look beyond our differences and converge on the shared agenda to bring about inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction is one of the examples that the government is showing its commitment to uniting through diversity,” he said. 

Mashatile further called on different sectors of society to collaborate with the South African Heritage Resource Agency to develop community abilities and capacities to help identify and protect heritage resources.

“We have to guard and protect our heritage from forms of neglect and threats such as natural disasters, urbanisation, globalisation and developments that pose challenges to the preservation of our most treasured landmarks, artefacts, and traditions. 

“All communities from the Free State Province, including Ficksburg, have the responsibility to protect and preserve historical sites like the Old Prison Cells and the General Fick Museum. We must educate young people about the significance of such sites because 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, emphasising its importance not only in preserving the past but also in shaping South Africa's future. 

"Our heritage is more than a collection of artefacts; it defines who we are and where we are headed as a nation,” he said. 

Mashatile stressed the need to protect both tangible and intangible heritage, highlighting the connections among diverse communities through shared living heritage, including oral histories, belief systems, cultural practices, and indigenous knowledge. 

He noted that these elements are foundational to the nation's identity, saying, “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 engage in promoting and protecting intangible cultural heritage

Mashatile encouraged pride in native languages and urged South Africans to learn each other's dialects to foster mutual understanding and respect.

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

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

“Most importantly, while we celebrate our rich past and 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. 

In closing, Mashatile called for collective action to preserve the nation's legacy and shape a better future for all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

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