Pietermaritzburg - Liberation stalwarts, who played a major role in the building and changing the lives of South Africans, were honoured and remembered during the Heritage Day celebrations.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said it was important for the country, mostly as the province, to remember the liberation stalwarts.
He said South Africans should remember and honour people such as Dr John Langalibalele Dube, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Helen Suzman and many others, who created connecting points throughout the world during the struggle for liberation.
"We need to retrace networks and places that were traveled by these leaders and document them as part of the preservation of our heritage," said Mkhize.
He said the National Heritage Council has already started crafting what is now known as liberation routes, which will map together places, people and events that were pillars of the South African struggle.
The political liberation route, he said, will be a strategic political and cultural resource which can be used for among other things; cultural tourism, local economic development and more importantly political education teaching children the lessons of the country's history.
"We must preserve our country's history and heritage, lest not forget the oppression, the pain, the suffering, the bloodshed, the sacrifice and the dedication to service to mankind. That is the foundation upon which our democracy is founded."
