Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile witnessed the birth of an important partnership between the South African Heritage Resources Agency and Rhodes University, to fast track the development of critically and urgently needed skills in the heritage sector.
Addressing the audience on Monday, he said this is an important day to mark a significant milestone in our country and within the heritage sector.
“I take this opportunity to commend the two institutions for fostering this relationship that holds enormous benefits for our sector,” he added.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), in conjunction with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and Rhodes University, launched a certificate course aimed at training heritage practitioners.
Mashatile said the preservation of South African heritage was crucial to the development of the country.
“[H]eritage is an important part of human development and a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and development as well as social inclusion,” he said. “It is therefore of utmost importance that we continue to build the necessary skills base to ensure the sustainability of the heritage sector.”
The SAHRA Integrated Heritage Resources Management course is geared to develop an understanding of policy and frameworks with regards to heritage resources management. More than 40 heritage practitioners were drawn from the local Grahamstown and Eastern Cape communities to participate in the course.
SAHRA CEO Sibongile van Damme encouraged the gathered launch delegates to sing with her as she celebrated the launch of the certificate course. “Today is a day for celebration, there is no doubt,” she said. A Rhodes alumna, Van Damme said Grahamstown was the right place for the CenTRE due to its cultural heritage and institutions. “And it’s the home of the Festival,” she said, referring to the National Arts Festival.
The CenTRE has not yet been constructed however, and is due to be set-up in Grahamstown’s Old Goal. The Old Goal, a 200 year old colonial prison building, was vacated in August 2010 and still stands empty. The building was a popular student bar and backpackers in Grahamstown until SAHRA ordered it to be cleared for the construction of the CenTRE.
“Today I wish to assure all of you that the neglect suffered by this important heritage site is now a thing of the past,” Mashatile said on Monday. He added that an initial amount of R10-million had been allocated towards the renovation and refurbishment of the Old Gaol.
“[W]e expect to complete the first phase of the project by the end of the 2012-13 financial year,” Mashatile said. “We have no doubt that the initiative we are launching today will take our ongoing skills development efforts in the heritage sector to a higher level,” he added.
By Michelle Solomon
Picture by Adrian Frost