Remarks by Hon Premier Thabang Makwetla at the Launch of the Mpumalanga History and Heritage Book

Botshabelo Heritage Site, Middleburg
Steve Tshwete Municipality

 

15 June 2007

 

Programme Director

MEC’s and Members of the Provincial Legislature

Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Municipality, Clr. Mantlakeng Mahlangu

Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality, Clr. Speedy Mashilo

Traditional Leaders and Political Leaders of the Province

Honourable Mayors and councilors

CEO of the National Heritage Council, Adv. Sonwabile Mancotywa

Our Sponsor and Partner, FNB, represented by Mr Bungane Radebe

Representatives of the private sector and community organizations

Senior managers

Members of the media

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen.

 

On this historic occasion of the launch of the Mpumalanga History and Heritage book, we recognise the fascinating research that captures the dimensions of provincial history that are not inscribed in the dominant constructs of provincial history and heritage. In this way, it is a research project that enables the Province to address the shortcomings in the skewed representation of Mpumalanga’s history in popular history and heritage by ensuring that it chronicles various aspects of the region’s history, including recording the history of the region’s early inhabitants.

 

At the time of initiating this project, I pointed out that one of the challenges we hoped the heritage research would assist us to overcome ‘is the fragmented and dislocated manner in which the story of who we are, has been largely presented over time. Today, it is inspiring to witness the launch of a product that has achieved the initial goal that we set for ourselves when we embarked on this ambitious project.

 

The representation of the region’s pre-colonial history provides the chronicles of early struggles by indigenous communities against colonisation in the 19^th century. In the making of the Province’s history, one gets a sense of the role that was played by indigenous communities in fighting colonial encroachment, including battles that were fought under Sekhukhune and Nyabela respectively. Contrary to the silence in popular history literature about the participation of black people in the South African War, the book outlines the role of black people in Mpumalanga in the war of 1899-1902. The participation of black people in armed combat, their subsequent incarceration in concentration camps, suffering and death in these circumstances is highlighted in the book.

 

To the people of the Province, the recording of this history which is neglected in popular literature is important so that they are able to see themselves in the making and the evolution of the Province’s history. While the book does not claim to be an exhaustive representation of the myriad histories of the region’s communities nor the record of all historical events that have taken place in the Province, it provides the beginning for further explorations, debates and discussions on issues of provincial history, heritage and identity in a developing province. Hopefully, these debates will help to stimulate a focused debate about the history of the region.

 

It taking history and heritage debates forward, we need to broaden engagement with the heritage findings so that there is deep knowledge and appreciation of the dynamic history that the people of the Province share. We should ensure that renewed debates find space in our schools, communities, universities, and the media in our Province, so that there is a continued exploration and conversation among all of us, as to ‘who we are’, and how our past informs the shaping of our future and the emergent material conditions defining the character of Mpumalanga’s people.

The province’s rich archaeological heritage has been a subject of research and intellectual inquiry among eminent scientists in the world. The fascinating geological history present the view of Earth from its earliest life in a way that is not comparable to any other place in world, with the evidence of fossils of the very first life forms on planet Earth. This is archaeological heritage that suggests that Mpumalanga was a key cradle of life.

The evidence of stone-walled settlements bears testimony to the existence of human settlements and their predecessors going back 1.7 million years. These are human settlements of societies that existed during the early Iron Age development stage of human societies.

 

The world renowned “The Lydenburg heads” are part of the archaeological treasure trove that presents evidence of early civilisation pre-dating colonial settlements. Many will agree that this archealogical evidence deconstructs the ideological inscriptions in dominant colonial discourses that civilization was brought about by the existence of colonial settlers.  The excavated trade goods offer insights into the dynamic existence of a dynamic industry in iron, tin, copper, bronze, and ochre.

 

The existence of marine beads and marine shells point to the evidence of thriving trade networks that linked regional patterns of trade to the coast, suggesting that Mpumalanga had been an important trading channel for many years.

 

Mpumalanga’s economic heritage is well presented, covering the development of its powerful mining, agricultural and energy sectors.

 

The abundant rock art found all over the province is our dynamic heritage that points to the San (hunter-gatherers) as the oldest occupants of the area. There is a diverse array of rock art sites belonging to hunter-gather, herder and farmer communities.

 

There is a chronicle of struggles against land dispossession by the people of the region against colonial settlers. Some of the areas in province are sites of key political resistance battles where the people of the region participated. Mpumalanga’s contribution to the struggle for equality and freedom advanced the ideals of achieving a democratic dispensation that we are enjoying today.

 

Programme Director, many lessons have been learned during the implementation of the Heritage Research project. As a provincial government, we are committed to playing a critical role in the restoration, recording and preservation of Mpumalanga’s heritage by ensuring that:

• We contribute to the identification and prioritisation of heritage sites for conservation and protection by enhancing our institutional capacity to manage these sites

• We put in place the necessary infrastructure, including roads and facilities, as well as improve the physical condition and access to these heritage sites

• We develop proper signage leading to the heritage sites

• We develop tourism products and open up new tourist routes to boost tourism growth and local economic development

• We provide accurate, up-to-date and stimulating material that could be used to compile books, websites and other promotional material for tourists and travellers in the region.

• We leverage the rich and dynamic history and heritage of the Province in the branding and marketing of the Province so that the provincial heritage adds value to the positioning of the provincial brand to create a unique corporate identity

• We mobilise community participation and broad-based engagement on issues of provincial heritage, and build social cohesion around an integrated approach to provincial heritage

• We enhance the capacity of municipalities to integrate the management of heritage sites within their areas of jurisdiction into their plans, so that these sites are properly preserved and maintained

As part of taking the findings and recommendations of the Heritage Research Project forward, the province has prioritised the Heritage, Greening Mpumalanga and Tourism flagship programme as one of our ‘Big Five’ flagship programmes. Central to the implementation of this programme is the recording and preservation of Mpumalanga’s heritage and the integration of opportunities presented by the cultural heritage of this province with the strong renowned eco-tourism of our province. The programme promotes biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and effective environmental practices to create ‘a Green Province’. It focuses on the need to conserve sensitive ecosystems, and to prevent general environmental degradation. It also promotes Mpumalanga’s proud heritage by establishing fascinating heritage sites and expanding our protected area network, including the preservation and management of identified heritage sites. With the establishment of tourism routes and related infrastructure, we are buoyed by the endless possibilities presented by our heritage to contribute to tourism growth that fosters job creation and poverty reduction.

 

Programme Director, in launching the Mpumalanga History and Heritage book, we must express our appreciation to First National Bank and the National Heritage Council for their participation and support to make this project a success. We are forever indebted to the team of researchers under the leadership of Prof. Peter Delius for their excellent contributions to the heritage research project. We also convey special gratitude to the University of KwaZulu-Natal Press for publishing the Mpumalanga and History and Heritage book.

 

We believe that the launch of this book will contribute to broadening access to the captivating heritage of our Province by many South Africans, people of Mpumalanga, schools, universities, and international visitors. It will also generate interest in many people to visit the province in order to experience all the heritage wonders presented by the Province.

 

Programme Director, the success of this project depended on the support and participation of many stakeholders. We would like thank everyone for their commitment to delivering this project successfully.

 

I thank you all.

 

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government