The significant contribution of the people and government of Botswana to South Africa’s liberation struggle has come under the spotlight during a visit by a South African delegation to that country.
Director-General of the Department of Arts and Culture, Vusi Mkhize, and a South African government delegation has met with counterparts from the Botswana government to develop plans for the collective memorialization of the region’s liberation heritage.
Memorialization involves not only the building of physical memorials to remember fallen heroes, but the memory of documented oral stories, content development for the audio-visual arts.
The South African government is of the view that while the identification, recognition and memorialisation of icons and events that contributed to the struggle of South Africa’s freedom continues nationally, it is equally the obligation of the country to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution and sacrifice of the people of other countries during the struggle for freedom.
Botswana is one of the countries that offered support for the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
Representing the Fish Keitseng Trust, Tumi Keitseng -- daughter of Motswana liberation fighter and trade union activist, Fish Keitseng – expressed her appreciation to the South African delegation for the event where the project of memorialization is taking shape.
“It’s an opportunity touching my soul, as my father always reminded us of the powerful legacy he knew from Nelson Mandela, who cared for people across all spheres and walks of life when he stayed in our home,” said Keitseng.
This is even more significant as the world observes the Centenary of the founding father of democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela, this year.
The two delegations will during the visit discuss plans for the construction of two memorial sites in Botswana. – SAnews.gov.za
