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Heritage Month

1 - 30 September 2011

September marks the annual Heritage Month in South Africa. The theme for Heritage Month celebrations this year is "Celebrating the Heroes and Heroines of the Liberation Struggle in South Africa".

This theme throws the spotlight on the idealism and heroism of those who fought to liberate the country from colonialism and apartheid. Their memories will be evoked, their sacrifices acknowledged.

Historical narratives of the struggle will be told through exhibitions, poetry, dance, songs, oral history and  site visits to heritage sites invoking remembrance and promoting national identity.

Various heritage sites and infrastructures in South Africa are named after the Liberation Struggle icons:

• Sol Plaatjie Municipality in the Northern Cape
• Nelson Mandela Museum in the Eastern Cape
• Luthuli House in Gauteng
• Shaka Zulu Airport in KwaZulu-Natal
• Tshwane Municipality in Gauteng
• Steve Biko Memorial in the Eastern  Cape.

Liberation struggle heroes from fields such as acting, literature, music, labour movements and so forth include Rahima Moosa, Bessie Head, Frances Baard, Ruth First, Princess Magogo, and Olive Schreiner.

South Africa also acknowledges the support and solidarity provided by its neighbouring African nation states during the era of oppression and there are heritage sites and infrastructures named after these iconic African leaders, such as the Samora Machel Monument at Mbuzini in Mpumalanga and the Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West.

Official events to mark Heritage Month

Speeches and statements

Events:

• Minister Paul Mashatile visits Mpumalanga Heritage Sites to mark Heritage Month
• Address by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Heritage Day 2011, Mpumalanga, Ermelo
• Photos of the Heritage Day event

Related information:

• Government views on Heritage Day
• South African Heritage Resource Agency

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Last modified: 29 September 2011 10:06:21.