PUBLIC AWARENESS WORKSHOPS - 2004
A substantial portion of
South Africa’s heritage resources will continue to be threatened and
vandalised unless something is done about it. We can begin to address this
problem by involving the communities in heritage management. Our heritage is
fragile and has to be protected and managed for the
benefit of present and future generations.
A moment of silence, Memorial Cemetery, MUCPP
Youth Heritage Awareness Workshop, 29 June 2004
Various projects were
identified by the Free State Office of SAHRA to pursue one of its key
objectives namely to increase heritage awareness among the youth. To achieve
our objective we embarked on conducting awareness workshops for the youth.
The focus of the workshops were
to involve the youth in heritage. The purpose of the youth awareness workshops
is to increase awareness particularly about heritage conservation and the
management thereof. The first workshop was held on 29 June 2004 at the Mangaung University centre of the Free State Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP)
in Bloemfontein and 34 people participated. The second workshop was held on 28
October 2004 at the Old Convent of Notre Dame, Kroonstad and 40 people
attended.
Workshop participants in front of the Old
Presidency
Building, Bloemfontein, 29 June 2004
The workshops were structured in three categories: formal presentations, group
discussions and heritage sites excursions. Group discussions created a
platform where the youth were able to exchange ideas about heritage issues.
The youth’s suggestions were noted and will be considered for future
projects of this nature.
The outcome of the two
workshops were positive and people were enthusiastic, passionate and willing
to be more involved in heritage conservation. I saw excitement, satisfaction
and a sign of belonging from the youth. They were happy to be part of the
workshops where their opinions were considered and appreciated. They
contributed to something, which will make a difference in heritage
management. The youth were also aware that they have a challenge to go back to
the communities and make other people conscious of the significance of
heritage resources. Because they were well informed they seemed ready to
perform the tasks before them.
Northern Free State Institute for Community
Development
Centre, Youth Heritage Awareness Workshop,
28 October 2004
The involvement of the youth brings to them a
sense of ownership and the misconception of “heritage of the other” is
corrected. It will be a good idea to focus on broadening the scope and
reaching more people. SAHRA should be at the forefront of the initiatives to
ensure that this dream actually becomes a reality.
Northern Free State Workshop
participants at the
British Garden of Remembrance, Kroonstad,
28 October 2004
Above submitted by: Gabriel Tlhapi,
Cultural Heritage Officer, Bloemfontein
