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15 January 2009

A new building constructed by South Africa for the conservation an important collection of African medieval manuscripts will be inaugurated in the City of Timbuktu in Mali on 24 January 2009.

These manuscripts, written in Arabic and local languages, form part of a rich and diverse cultural heritage of the ancient city that include the historic mosques of Djingery-Ber (1325) and Sankore (15th century), which have contributed to Timbuktu being recognised as a World Heritage Site.

This joint South Africa-Mali co-operation was initiated by former President Thabo Mbeki and former Mali President Mr Oumar Konare in 2001.

A bilateral agreement signed by the two countries in 2002 outlined areas of cooperation in skills training, public awareness and proper protection with respect to the manuscripts. This involved training for Malians in conservation during 2003 to 2005; increasing the awareness about the existence of the manuscripts through conferences, publications and research exchanges. In addition in 2008 an exhibition of 40 manuscripts from Timbuktu toured six museums in South Africa. Most importantly the agreement made provisions for the 'proper housing' of more than 30 000 manuscripts.

To this effect the Timbuktu Manuscripts Trust was formed, chaired by the former Minister in the Presidency Dr Essop Pahad, to raise the funds for the new building. Approximately R60 million was mobilised from the private and public sectors towards this cause.

The new state of the art building, a design influenced by the local adobe architecture of Timbuktu and modern contemporary architectural styles, is the most ambitious aspect of the project. It is an excellent example of co-operation between two African countries in the field of culture. Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Ntombazana Botha who is co-ordinating the implementation of the project together with Minister in The Presidency Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, echoes sentiments to this effect when she says:

"It is in the spirit of African co-operation and with the desire to preserve Africa's ancient manuscripts, as an important part of Africa's heritage, that this building is the outcome of collaboration between the peoples and governments of the Republic of Mali and the Republic of South Africa to make them accessible for the promotion of the African Renaissance."

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe and President of the Republic of Mali, Mr Amadou Touré, will inaugurate the new building on 24 January 2009.

Enquiries:
Matome Bopape
Cell: 082 318 5251

Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424

Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886

Issued by: The Presidency
15 January 2009