
=====================================================================
Mbolompo Heritage Project
=====================================================================
 window.status="Speech by MEC Balindlela"
Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

[         w

 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MEC BALINDLELA
AT THE OPENING OF MBOLOMPO HERITAGE PROJECT
 AT LUGXOGXO VILLAGE
 11 NOVEMBER 2000



1.Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, it gives me great pleasure to be here today on this very important occasion.What we are going 
here today can be interpreted on many levels: Firstly, we are gathered to unveil a memorial to heroes who fell during the struggle against 
colonialism in our country. Secondly, we are engaged in an exercise of redressing imbalances in how the heritage of this country has been 
memorialised. Thirdly, we are witnessing an example of a successful partnership between a community and local and provincial government, 
leading to effective service delivery.

2.Background

The Eastern Cape has pioneered the concept of Community Heritage Projects. I would like to spend a few moments on the background to these. 
In 1998 the Directorate of Museums and Heritage Resources in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture began a process of calling for 
public nominations for projects that would commemorate heritage at a local level. Advertisements were placed in newspapers and officers in 
the Department held meetings with communities to promote the concept of Community Heritage Projects. Communities were invited to submit 
applications for projects that would be relevant to them.The five main objectives of these Community Heritage Projects were to:

* recognise neglected heritage sites
* redress imbalances in the portrayal of history in the Eastern Cape
* promote nation building and reconciliation
* maximise the tourism benefits of heritage sites, and
* to promote the educational aspects of such sites.

I would like to pay tribute to the local community of Lugxogxo for coming forward with this project so quickly.Community leaders took up 
the challenge and speedily developed a project proposal.

The applications which were received from all over the Eastern Cape were judged according to a set of criteria approved by the Executive 
Council of the Province of the Eastern Cape. Contracts setting out the scope and nature of the work were signed and an amount of R50 000 
was made available by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Our officers worked closely with the project steering 
committee in the implementation phase.

3.Significance of Mbolompo AmaNgwane Heritage Project

The Mbolompo AmaNgwane Heritage Project, put forward by the local community, is designed to commemorate our heroes who sacrificed their 
lives during a very difficult period in our history, namely our peoples struggle against oppression and dispossession by the colonialists. 
It would be difficult to overemphasise the significance of what we are doing here today when we unveil this memorial. We are, in effect, 
busy transforming our society.We are erecting, in a rural surrounding right where our people live , a memorial to Black people who died 
during a particular war of dispossession: The Battle of Mbolompo which took place on this very site on 27 August 1828.

Many of our towns and cities are dominated by memorials to those who died in the First World War, the Second World War and others. Now we 
can hold our heads high and say that we also have a memorial to our people who gave their lives in the struggle that brought us our present 
democratic government.We can proudly show our visitors and our children a memorial that seeks to fill a huge gap in our history. In our 
view the significance of this project is that:

* it promotes nation building and reconciliation
* it provides permanent recognition of a marginalised aspect of history
* it has enjoyed a very high degree of community support throughout
* it helps to restore the dignity of communities and individuals
* it enhances the tourist attractions in the town and area, and
* it will serve as an entry point into the history of Lugxogxo and Umtata for educators and learners.

In the same way that the blood of these matyrs and heroes nourished the Liberation Struggle, their memory in this public place should serve 
as a constant reminder to the rest of us of the present struggle for a better life for all.In rediscovering neglected and suppressed parts 
of our history, we are reinforcing and supporting the notion of an African Renaissance.

3.Conclusion

In conclusion, let me congratulate all of those involved in bringing this project to fruition. Your pioneering work should serve as an 
important example to other communities.

To those of us who are closely connected to the event we are commemorating here today, let me assure you that your suffering has not been 
forgotten. This memorial will ensure that there will be a permanent reminder of the sacrifices your forefathers made.

To the youth who are here today, let me appeal to you to take the trouble to learn about the history of your community, your Province and 
your country. Seek inspiration in the heroic deeds of those who came before you.Take up the challenge and help us build a better life for 
all in South Africa.

I thank you all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Site Map
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases | Links
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


