EC World Heritage site may chart struggle

By BRETT HORNER

PUBLIC hearings on the creation of a national heritage charter come to the Eastern Cape this week – with a focus on establishing a World Heritage Site in the province.

The National Heritage Council convenes in Mthatha on Friday to hear submissions that could result in a site charting the liberation struggle in the province.

Four hearings have already been conducted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West Province and Northern Cape.

Controversial issues around traditional customs and practices, for example ritual animal slaughter, tended to dominate discussions.

The council’s CEO, advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa, said the meetings were open forums to discuss any matters relating to heritage. But he hoped motivations for a heritage site in the Eastern Cape would top the agenda.

Mancotywa said the site could coincide with the heritage route, which linked primary struggle and historical sites in the province.

The concept was still a long way from being realised.

Any proposal would have to be ratified by government before being submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for a decision.

Mancotywa said the heritage council already had a project office in Mthatha where the idea of a heritage site was being conceptualised, with a view to it being completed in two years.

But where or what it would be would depend on submissions from the public.

“We have already started a project of cultural site-mapping for the entire Eastern Cape,” Mancotywa said.

A first draft of the charter, to be completed by September 30, will contain submissions from all the provincial hearings.

Mancotywa said the charter would then be handed to Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan and President Thabo Mbeki with a recommended programme of action.

Referring to contentious customs and practices, Mancotywa said the council was engaging with the SPCA on issues involving animals and their role in indigenous culture.

Last year some white residents of a Gonubie complex were outraged when an African family slaughtered a lamb on the premises

“Some laws could be amended or repealed,” he continued.

“But then again not all practices will be maintained.

“Some must adapt to 21st century challenges.”