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PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE BRIEFINGLIBERATION HERITAGE ROUTE

Presentation byMr. Vusithemba Ndima

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CONTENT1. Liberation Heritage Route Concept2. 11 June 2011 Cabinet Resolution3. Progress on the implementation of the resolution4. Conceptual Framework 5. Pilot Projects per Province6. Way Forward

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ACRONYMS

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LHR – Liberation Heritage RouteDAC – Department of Arts and CultureNHC – National Heritage CouncilIMC – Inter Ministerial CommitteeSADET – South African Democratic Education TrustOAU – Organisation of African UnitySADC – Southern African Development CommunityFEDSAW – Federation of South African WomenANCWL – African National Congress Women’s LeagueCPSA – Communist Party of South AfricanPAC – Pan Africanist CongressSACTU - South African Congress of Trade UnionsSACP – South African Communist PartyMK – Mkhonto We SizweSAHRA – South African Heritage Resource AgencySANNC – South African Native National Congress

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1. LIBERATION HERITAGE ROUTE CONCEPT

1.1 The LHR is configured as a network of heritage sites, some nodes with world heritage status, others with national, provincial and local significance.

1.2 The LHR sites will recognize people, communities, icons, places/sites and record epoch-making stories and events which had a significant impact on the South African anticolonial struggle and struggle for liberation.

1.3 The Route will provide a storyline about the movement and continuity of anti-colonial wars and liberation activities, the dialogue across the country and trans-boundary co-ordination of the national liberation struggle.

1.4 The LHR project was approved by Cabinet on 11 June 2011.

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2. CABINET RESOLUTION

2.1 The DAC/NHC develops a conceptual framework which the LHR will be an integral element thereof. The framework

was to be based on existing historical and cultural research.

2.2 The Minister of Arts and Culture must convene an Inter-Ministerial Committee consisting of Ministers of Science and Technology, Basic Education, Public Works, Tourism and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

2.3 The IMC must consider a pilot project which must put emphasis on establishing a strategy to deal with infrastructure and the development of heritage tourism facilities as one of the main focus areas for the strategy.

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3. PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CABINET

RESOLUTION

3.1The conceptual framework based on existing historical and cultural research has been developed;3.2Three pilot projects per province have been identified through consultations with the provincial departments charged with heritage matters;3.3The identified sites in all provinces include mega sites, large sites and sites which will be developed at a smaller scale;3.4A Business Plan has been developed containing all programmes including the infrastructural development aspects;3.5The Business Plan contains strategies on the development of heritage tourism facilities;3.6The development of the Business Plan included two inter-provincial consultative meetings and a DAC convened Task Team making inputs on all the key aspects of the document;3.7The Business Plan was presented to the Technical Committee comprising HODs of Provincial Arts and Culture Departments.

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3. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS 3.8 The conceptual framework and the Business Plan was also presented to the Ministry and the Ministry resolved that the research is on going and therefore the DAC enters into formal agreement with SADET to provide the research component to the LHR, SADET finalises the conceptual framework, the Task Team be guided by the conceptual framework to finalise the Business Plan and the final Business Plan should have short term and long term budgetary provisions

3.9 The Ministry further resolved that the Task Team should identify an implementation framework which could include a Provincial Route Approach Selection of Anchor sites, based on their significance and potential to attract tourists, to be connected to identified national, provincial and local sites. Emphasis should placed on the need to capacitate provinces that have not had a fair share of national heritage facilities

3.10 Such a framework could also include a Big Bang Approach A single project that maps and interprets all the epochs of the South African liberation struggle identified in the conceptual framework of the LHR. This facility will be a multi-purpose interpretative centre that provides interactive exhibition spaces that enable to relive the liberation struggle. The Big Bang Approach will be explored in North West Province and the OR TAMBO ESCAPE ROUTE was recommended

3.11 The framework could further include a Thematic Approach where site identification can be guided by a common liberation thread that unites Provinces. The theme that has been agreed upon is the declaration of graves to honour the liberation leaders of the liberation struggle. This approach will entail the identification and record of graves of the liberation struggle and the construction of memorials associated with the graves. The aim is to identify one grave per province that will form part of the project

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4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

4.1 The conceptual framework was developed Democratic Education Trust (SADET) based on six completed and published volumes on the history of the resistance movement and liberation struggle in South Africa;4.2 The conceptual framework lists the purpose and rationale for the LHR and its monuments and sites as recognition, commemoration and celebration of liberation heritage and to educate humanity about the impact of colonialism and oppression;4.3 The framework provides for the LHR to be underpinned by the principles of

redress, freedom, equality, peace, democracy, human and social rights, internationalism and the quest to understand humanity and the human condition;4.4 The framework recognises globally the role of international solidarity, continentally acknowledges the role of the African Diaspora and the OAU and proposes recognition of the role of SADC through intertwining youth pilgrimages to SADC countries

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4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (Cont)

4.5 The conceptual framework locates the LHR within the pre-colonial context which is defined as the period 1450 -1650 in which Europe explored the so-called unknown world, including Africa, the Era of the Scramble for Africa

4.6 The framework further loacates the route in the Colonial Context in the period 1651 -1910 characterised by resistance to the settlers by the Khoekhoe in and around the Peninsula, resistance and anti-colonial struggles in the Eastern Cape and the region of KwaZulu-Natal, anti-colonial struggle in the interior including King Sekhukhune of the Pedi against the Boers who had invaded his kingdom and resistance in Dinokana/Zeerust against the Boers over land ownership.

4.7 Politically it locates the route within the context of resistance by the ANC at the turn of the 20th century, the influence of the de-colonisation of Africa, the role of African intellectuals and the formalisation of political movements.

4.8 The framework locates the route within the diaspora context through emphasising the role of fellow Africans through various forums such as the Pan-African Conference and the OAU.

4.9 In the human rights context the framework emphasises the role of the African Bill of Rights by the ANC in 1923, the formation of the ANCYL in 1944, the Defiance Campaign conducted by SAINC and the ANC in 1923 and the Women’s march to the Union Building in 1956.

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4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (Cont)

4.10 The framework highlights the Gender and Liberation Context by looking at the role of Women’s liberation formations like FEDSAW, ANCWL, the worker’s struggle as an important facet of the liberation struggle such worker’s

resistance in the mines, the role of organisations like CPSA, PAC, SACTU, SACP and MK

4.11 In the Rural and Peasant Context the framework looks at Rural resistance which sparked in the 1940s and culminated in major uprisings in Zeerust, Sekhukhuniland and Pondoland.

4.12 In all the above contexts the framework links the liberation heritage route to anticolonial and liberation struggle people, events, places and personalities.

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GAUTENGSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEFREEDOM PARKThe Freedom Park was officially launched on 1 June 2000 as a response to the need identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for symbolic reparation of past conflicts in the history of South Africa. The foundation of The Freedom Park is thus based on the South African nation’s reconciliation process as well as the advancement of the various rights entrenched in the constitution from a heritage perspective. The Pan African Archives forms the underlying knowledge base of all the components of The Freedom Park. In this space, The Freedom Park Trust’s research data is stored, conserved and processed for public consumption and use.

Not yet declared as the construction is not yet completed but one of the SAHRA priority projects in the list of protection.

Tot R……..

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GAUTENGSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEThe Sharpeville MemorialThe Sharpeville Memorial honours those who lost their lives in the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960. To honour those who died for the liberation of South Africa, the Sharpeville Memorial was opened on the 21 March 2002, a day known now as the Human Rights Day. It is located in Seeiso Street in Sharpeville, opposite the police station where the shootings took place. The Sharpeville exhibition promises to communicate the tragic incident to visitors.

Improvements to preserve the Exhibition Centre.Constitutional Walk, a Memorial Garden and an Exhibition Centre Mosaic.

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GAUTENGSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEDR AB XUMA MUSEUM

Alfred Bitini Xuma was the President-General of the Gauteng African National Congress from 1939-1949, and a long time resident in Sophiatown. His house was one of several buildings that escaped the bulldozers when the suburb was flattened in the 1950s and 1960s. It was declared a national monument in 1998. The municipality had agreed that the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre will operate a museum at the house, to be called the Sophiatown Museum. The city library’s services will place Xuma’s historic book collection in the house as a permanent exhibit, along with any other relevant material from the city’s museum collection.

MuseumRenovations and internal developments to House.Purchase of adjacent property.Conservation and Management Plan.Exhibition and setting up of Library Services

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MPUMALANGASITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONESAMORA MACHEL MEMORIALSamora Machel was a Mozambican military commander, a revolutionary socialist leader an eventual President of Mozambique. Machel led the country to independence in 1975 until his death in 1986, when his presidential aircraft crashed in the mountainous terrain where the borders of Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa converge. A memorial at the Mbuzini crash site was inaugurated on January 19, 1999 by President Nelson Mandela and by President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique.

The Memorial is managed by the Provincial Government. Government will have to review the Provincial status of the memorial to a National Memorial under the Cultural Institutions Act. Reprioritisation of budgetary provision with National Treasury to be explored

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MPUMALANGASITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEPixley ka Isaka Seme

Pixley Isaka Ka Seme (1881-June 1951) was a founder member and President of the African National Congress. He was one of the leading early African Intellectuals who relentlessly and eloquently advanced the interest of Africans.

Interpretive CentreConservation and Management Plan.

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MPUMALANGASITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEKANYAMAZANE HILL

The hill was used by youth activists in Kanyamazane to hold their political meetings. It was on this hill that members of LOMOYO were ambushed and massacred in 1986.

Declare the Site Landscaping of the Hill.Interpretive CentreConservation and Management Plan.

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EASTERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEBISHO MASSACREFormer Ciskei security forces opened fire to thousands of marchers who were heading towards the capital of the bantustan, Bisho. This march was led by national leaders of the liberation movement. Shots were fired indiscriminately killed forty three people and wounding scores of others. A site in Bisho is dedicated to victims of this massacre.

Upgrading of the Monument.Declaration of site Landscaping of park Museum Conservation Management Plan

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EASTERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEOLIVER TAMBO SITEOliver Reginald Tambo was a leader of the African National Congress who led the organization for a very long time. He was respected throughout the world as a statesman who fought relentlessly for the liberation of South Africa.The National Assembly and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government officially opened the O R Tambo Garden of Remembrance in honour of the Tambo Family for their contribution in liberating our people.

Site Declaration, Interpretative CentreLarger and life Statue, Landscaping and fencing, Memory Pavillion, Timeline pathway, Garden of Unsung HeroesGarden of Remembrance, AmphitheatreWall of Remembrance, Rehabilitation of the graves at Nkantolo, Khananda and the Homestead, Rehabilitation of the Homestead

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EASTERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEROBERT SOBUKWE AND BEYERS NAUDERobert Sobukwe was the leader of the Pan-Africanist Congress who suffered from solitary confinement for 6 years. He was a founder of the PAC who was highly respected even during his days in the ANC YL at Fort Hare. Beyers Naude was a highly progressive South African who actively identified with the national cause to rid S. Africa of the oppressive and exploitative system of apartheid. This site in Graaf-Reinet will encourage a dialogue between their respective ideologies as they are both from this significant but little known space of Graaf-Reinet. They were both formidable leaders who left indelible footprints in the national road to freedom.

Heroes Acre, amphitheatre as space for youth and social development projects. Link with social responsibility partners, and sports development partners in Government and Graaf ReinetteIdentification of site, Development of wall of remembrance; research into names; maintenance,

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WESTERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONENELSON MANDELA PRISON HOUSEVictor Verster Prison (also called Klein Drakenstein and later renamed as Drakenstein Correctional Centre) is a low security prison near Paarl in the valley of the Dwars River in the Western Cape of South Africa. The prison is famous for being the last place that Nelson Mandela was held. In 1984 Mandela was transferred from the maximum security prison on Roben Island, a small island in Table Bay, to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town near Steenberg. From there Mandela was moved to Victor Verster prison in 1988, where he lived in a private villa inside the prison compound. Victor Verster, a farm prison, was often used as a stepping stone for releasing lower risk political prisoners. Mandela served another three years at Verster until his release in 11 February 1990.

Restoration of the house at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre Landscaping of the siteDeclaration of the site Conservation Management Plan

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WESTERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEGUGULETHUOn the 3rd March 1986, a group of seven young men were ambushed in Cape Town. They were dubbed the Gugulethu Seven. Security police opened fire on them, because they were seen as being terrorists. The ambush was co-ordinated by the infamous security forces of Vlakplaas, who were known for torture and unprovoked violent actions. Their names are Zandisile Zenith Mjobo, Zola Alfred Swelani, Mandla Simon Mxinwa, Godfrey Jabulani Miya, Themba Mlifi, Zabonke John Konile and Christopher Piet.

Development of the Memory CentreDeclaration of the SiteLandscaping of the site.Interpretive Centre.Conservation Management Plan

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FREE-STATESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEWESLYAN CHURCH

The church where the SANNC was formed which would later become the African National Congress.

Restoration of the church.Landscaping of the site.Interpretive Centre.Conservation Management Plan

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FREE-STATESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

THABO MOFUTSANYANAMr Thabo Mafutsanyana was a leader of the ANC and the South African Communist Party. He was instrumental in the mobilization of workers in farm areas, in townships and in rural areas. He was one of the most effective communists who produced many leaders.

Grading and Restoration of the house

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FREE-STATESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

REV Z.R. MAHABANE

Rev. ZR Mahabane was twice a President of the African National Congress. He was a clergy man who was committed to cause for the liberation of his people. He led the ANC with distinction and was highly respected beyond the ANC.

Declaration and Restoration of the house, interpretive centre

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NORTHERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONEUPINGTON 26On 11 November 1985 the Upington Youth Organisation mobilised a crowd of approximately 3000 who gathered on a soccer field in Paballelo, a township in Upington. The event that would follow that day resulted in the setting alight of a municipal policeman after he had shot and seriously wounding a young boy. 26 people were arrested and charged with the murder of the policeman. 25 of accused were found guilty and 14 were sentenced to death. Eleven were released while the murder convictions of three were upheld following an appeal.

Declaration of the site, setting up memorial park

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NORTHERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONETHE GALESHEWE MAYIBUYE UPRISING

The Galeshewe Mayibuye Uprising is part of the national defiance campaign that took place 1952. On the 8th of November 1952, following a mass protestation incident, 12 people were shot and 78 wounded by the then police force.

Declaration. Interpretive Centre. Conservation and Management Plans. Exhibition.

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NORTHERN CAPESITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONETHE LANGEBERG REBELLION

The Langeberg Rebellion is an epic story that depicts the height of dispossession of land and livestock during the wars against colonisation. The event occurred around November 1896.

Interpretive Centre.Declaration of the Site.Maintenance of existing infrastructureConservation and Management Plans.Exhibition.

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LIMPOPOSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO University of Limpopo was a major theatre of the struggle which produced activists and leaders of the highest calibre who later swelled the ranks of the liberation movement at home and in exile. Freedom fighters from this university played a profound role in the liberation of South Africa.

Declaration of the SiteInterpretive Centre.Conservation and Management Plans.Exhibition..

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LIMPOPOSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

BEUSTER MISSION STATION After the departure of the missionaries, black evangelists and pastors took over control mission stations, the Beuster Mission Station included. Some, if not most, of these evangelists were political minded and became an influence to most of the youth in Venda at secondary school level. This saw the youth protest against homeland independence and involved in the struggle for liberation and justice.

Declaration and Infrastructure development will include an interpretive centre

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LIMPOPOSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

SHILUVANE MISSION CENTRE The Mission Centre became a centre of political activities, supporting civic and political structures during the liberation struggle, particularly during the time of Rev. Mathebula who was himself an activist who hosted meetings of various anti-apartheid structures. The centre is known for harbouring guerrilla fighters.

Declaration and Infrastructure development will include an interpretive centre

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KWAZULU-NATALSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

PIETERMARITZBURG STATION

This magnificent Victorian station was the setting for one of MahatmaGhandi's most profound experiences when he was thrown off a train despite carrying a First Class ticket..

Turn one building into a museum.Interpretive Centre.Conservation and Management Plans.Exhibition.

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KWAZULU-NATALSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

JOHNNY MAKHATHINIOne of the most formidable leaders of the ANC. He worked closely with Oliver Tambo. Not a site as yet, but could change his home into a workshop /museum to bring money into the community.

House Museum Declaration of the site.Interpretive Centre.Conservation and Management Plans.

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KWAZULU-NATALSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

D C O MATIWANE SITED C O Matiwane was a highly respected leaders of the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party. He was one of the most effective organisers and leaders in the KwaZulu-Natal working with renowned leaders like Harry Gwala.

Archiving, interpretation rooms and statueConservation and Management Plans.

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NORTH-WESTSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

BLACK CONCENTRATION CAMPS AND GRAVESAccording to distorted historical accounts it is generally believed that the Black People never took part in the so-called Anglo-Boer or inclusively referred to as the South African War. During this war numerous black people were forcibly taken to concentration camps and some died there. These concentration camps for black people were mainly in areas such as Fredelikstad, Koekemoer and Klerksdorp

Memorial sites and Declaration of sites.

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NORTH-WESTSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

OR TAMBO ESCAPE ROUTE OR Tambo Escape Route Heritage Site is a route that was used by the late President of the ANC to escape arrest by the apartheid regime. In addition to that, the site has further political history as it was used by Umkhonto Wesizwe operatives involved in military operations. The sites has significance to the liberation struggle.

Declaration of the site.Interpretive Centre.Conservation and Management Plans.Exhibition.

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NORTH-WESTSITE DESCRIPTION WORK TO BE DONE

HUHUDIIn Huhudi there exists an open circle with a rich political history of the era. The circle was used by various political formations who were involved in the liberation struggle. According to the oral history of residents, whenever there was a meeting, a whistle was blown to summon residents. The meetings were used to strategize against the actions of the apartheid regime.

Declaration of the site.Interpretive Centre.Conservation and Management Plans.Exhibition.

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5. WAY FORWARD

5.1 The projects will be presented to the IMC for its consideration.

5.2 Once the IMC has applied its mind and presented to cabinet detailed implementation plans will be developed.