Paul Mashatile, the Deputy President, led commemorations in Oudtshoorn, themed “Reimagine our heritage institutions for a new era.”
Mashatile said heritage institutions must be positioned to contribute to the government’s efforts to deal with pressing challenges of unemployment, social fragmentation, crime and corruption. “This can be achieved by empowering communities to challenge dominant narratives, providing secure spaces for dialogue and critical thinking, and preserving and reinterpreting marginalized histories.”
Trees were planted in Oudtshoorn by Mashatile, joined by Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Arts and Culture and other provincial government MECs, as part of Government’s One Million Trees Campaign, a national greening programme.
The Pretoria tree planting event was led by Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DAFF), at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Salvokop.
In addition, tree-planting activities occurred in all nine provinces, led by Premiers and MECs responsible for the Environment portfolio.
Picture: Supplied