Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Acting President Paul Mashatile has stressed the importance of transforming heritage institutions into vibrant spaces that connect the past with the future. Speaking at the national Heritage Day celebration held in Oudtshoorn on Wednesday, the Acting President emphasised the significance of preserving cultural identity while simultaneously creating opportunities for youth and addressing societal challenges.
“Museums, monuments and other heritage sites must become spaces of cultural diplomacy, inclusivity, intergenerational conversation, laboratories of creativity and incubators of opportunities for our people, particularly the youth,” he said. He told those attending the gathering in the Western Cape that museums and cultural sites should contribute to solving pressing issues like unemployment and social fragmentation.
He believes that this could be achieved by empowering communities to challenge dominant narratives, providing secure spaces for dialogue and critical thinking, and preserving and reinterpreting marginalised histories. The keynote speech, delivered on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, centred on this year’s theme: “Reimagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era.” The theme challenges South Africans to honour their history while building a dynamic and inclusive future.
“It is a call for fresh perspectives on how we can preserve and showcase our history in the ever-evolving landscape of our society. This is important because our heritage institutions nurture cultural identity, encourage unity, and offer economic opportunities in sectors such as tourism and the arts.” In addition, the Acting President is of the view that institutions should serve as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing everyone to connect with their roots and understand where they come from.
He took the time to condemn apartheid’s systematic destruction of African cultural structures, detailing how forced removals, fragmented families, and discriminatory education systems had undermined African heritage. The Acting President also called for the decolonising of museums, to Africanise them through a people-centred process of knowledge production and co-curation for a new era, a post-colonial era.
In the meantime, he announced that government is actively working to restore dignity through several initiatives, including a national policy for the repatriation of human remains, the reburial of Khoisan ancestral remains and identifying international institutions holding sacred human remains. He also took the time to call on families, communities, non-governmental organisations, businesses and government to fight the scourge of drugs and substance abuse, especially among the youth.
Concern was also raised about the rate of drug abuse among children, especially as it leads to stigmatisation of young people into categories such as “amaphara”, which often refers to petty thieves addicted to a street drug like nyaope. “I call everyone to stand up and fight this demon that has engulfed our nation. It is our joint responsibility to combat alcohol and substance abuse and work together to eradicate similar practices within our communities.”
Earlier in the day, the Acting President led a tree-planting event at Dysselsdorp Secondary School in preparation for the Heritage Day commemoration. This campaign is part of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Programme, which aims to encourage South Africans from all backgrounds to plant trees as a way to combat climate change. He also touched on the Clean Cities, Towns and Villages programme, which aims to create sustainable environments and support cultural heritage.
“These are not merely environmental projects,” he noted, “but cultural imperatives that align living heritage practices with sustainability principles.” His address wrapped up with a call for the National Dialogue, encouraging citizens to engage in conversations that can heal historical divisions and build a more inclusive future.
“The dialogue is a crucial platform for all voices, regardless of age, location, race, class, or culture, to shape the future of our democracy through meaningful, inclusive dialogue. We urge everyone to engage in this process, because as South Africans with diverse lived experiences, we each have a vital role in building the nation we hope for,” he said.
