Pretoria - Government has encouraged South Africans and the people from the rest of the continent to participate in the Heritage Month activities.
“This year’s celebrations will highlight the significance of Heritage Month as a vehicle to foster social cohesion, nation building, economic development and inclusive citizenship,” Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said.
He said the pinnacle of the Heritage Month celebrations will be the hosting of various commemorative events and cultural fairs in various parts of the country.
On 11 September, President Jacob Zuma will be accompanied by Minister Mthethwa to unveil the Matola Memorial and Interpretative Centre in Maputo, Mozambique.
“This project is expected to boost tourism and create jobs while honouring the country's liberation struggle heroes and heroines,” the Department of Arts and Culture said.
South Africa as a member of African Union supports Agenda 2063, a joint African roadmap for continental development which seeks to build an integrated, economic prosperous and peaceful Africa.
Heritage Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage: Towards the identification, promotion and preservation of South African’s living heritage”.
Heritage Day will be celebrated nationally on 24 September in Vleifontein, Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo Province.
National Book Week
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will launch the National Book Week on Thursday at Emoyeni Estate, Johannesburg.
National Book Week is an initiative of the department in association with the South African Book Development Council (SABDC).
The campaign will run from 7 to 13 September 2015.
“The National Book Week is an annual premier platform through which government, the book sector, media and civil society establish dynamic partnerships for the promotion of the culture of reading,” the department said.
The campaign will feature a number of reading activities for the young and old including a bus full of activities that will travel throughout the country.
Activities will also include storytelling, a toy library, poetry, workshop and a mascot called Funda Bala who will distribute books to children. – SAnews.gov.za
