Dear Comrades, concerning our discussions on the Communist University
list about naming, and about preserving historic sites, today I received
the following very detailed and informative message from the DDG and
Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of the Republic, Cde
Lakela Kaunda.
I hope that we as Communist University will respond, and in a sustained
way, by for example sharing further news of such efforts as they go
along; by visiting the monuments; and by contributing to a scholarly and
educational atmosphere around them, magnifying them.
VC
Here is Cde Lakela's message:
/Dear Comrade Dominic/
//
/Good day I hope you are well./
//
/Some comrades on the CU group raised concern about the neglect of homes
and graves of struggle icons. I wasn't too sure if I should respond I
felt it proper instead to send the information to you to deal with their
concerns./
Heritage sites have been identified by government and the President
mentioned some in the state of the nation address.
The identified sites will be upgraded and declared National Heritage
sites and be maintained by the State. The task of grading and declaring
these places will be done by the South African Heritage Resource Agency
(SAHRA).
Through the upgrading and declaration of these historic sites,
government will ensure a more representative and inclusive South African
history and heritage. More importantly, this will also contribute
towards shared values and a common national identity in the country.
Furthermore, the building and maintenance of new monuments and historic
sites has a greater potential to stimulate economic activity and create
much needed jobs in communities where these sites are located. These
sites will also contribute towards cultural tourism both domestic and
international.
*For the year 2012, we have prioritised the following sites:*
* The *Wesleyan Church hall in Waaihoek*, to use but one example of
sites to be declared and protected through the NHRA of 1999 was the
founding venue of the then SANNC (now the ANC) located in the
Mangaung, Free State Province. The church currently operates as a
motor repair workshop. The owner has agreed to sell to the Free
State province and the site has been nominated for National Monument
Status.
* The home and grave of *Dr. J L Dube*, the first President of the
(SANNC) ANC, will be restored and renovated. A tombstone will also
be erected at the grave. The Department is in discussion with the
family regarding the purchasing of the house.
* The *Thomas Maphikela* home; this was a place where most meetings
were held leading to and after the formation of the ANC. It has also
been nominated for the Heritage Liberation Route and for World
Heritage listing. The Free State Provincial Government has set aside
funds to purchase and refurbish the house.
* The *Zac Mahabane* Home; the Free State Provincial Government has
begun with the renovations and SAHRA is in process of declaring the
house and the upgrading of the grave is underway.
* The home of *Lillian Ngoyi*, who was the first woman leader to
become a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and
the leader of the ANCWL, will be declared a heritage site.
* The *OR Tambo House* in Nkantolo; will be upgraded and declared a
heritage site. This will include the upgrading of the Garden of
Remembrance of the Tambo Family in Nkantolo.
* *Mandela House* in Houghton; we are also in discussion with the
Mandela Family and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, to convert the
Mandela House in Houghton into a Museum.
* The site of the *Pondo Revolt* on the Inquza Hill and the Holy Cross
Church will also be declared a heritage sites.
* The sites in which many heroes fought in the frontier Wars; this
includes the *1913 revolt by African women* in the Free State and
the *1957 anti-pass revolt by women* in Zeerust will also be
declared heritage sites. These are before the peasant revolts of the
1960s and they also signify the important role played by women in
the struggle for national liberation.
* Government will also declare The Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells
Plein, Cape Town where the *United Democratic Front* (UDF) was
formed, as a heritage site.
* The *Gugulethu Seven* monument will be a heritage site to form part
of the broader museum in collaboration with the FAWU Gugulethu
Development Committee. This project will inject much needed jobs in
this community.
* In the year 2013, The Union Building will celebrate 100 years.
* Government is also in the process of purchasing, rehabilitating and
refurbishing the following houses: *Winnie Madikizela-Mandela* house
in Brandfort, the *Dr. Moroka* house in Thaba Nchu and *Bram
Fischer* house in Westdene.
*_Upgrading of Graves_:*
In addition to upgraded graves, in the year 2012, government will also
upgrade the graves of some of the leaders such as Robert Sobukwe, Dr.
James Moroka, Oliver Tambo, Dr. Xuma, Sefako Makgatho, Pixley Ka Isaka
Seme, Rahima Moosa, Steven Bantubonke Biko, Josiah Tshangana Gumede,
Walter and Albertina Sisulu. These will also be declared as heritage sites.
For further information, you can *_contact_ Comrade Mduduzi Mbada at
Arts and Culture on 082 900 1893*.
And I really enjoy the debates, I recently joined!
*Lakela Kaunda
DDG/Chief of Staff
Office of the President of the Republic *
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