The importance of women in heritage will be taking centre stage in the programmes of the National Heritage Council of South Africa during this Women’s Month of August.
 
The activities will kick off with a launch of intergenerational dialogues on 3 August 2018 at the Freedom Park in Pretoria to uplift and celebrate women in honour of Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke and Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu. The month-long celebration activities will be from 3 to 25 August 2018 ranging from dialogues to an awards ceremony that will honour women.
 
An African Calendar will be launched on 21 August 2018 at the Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto. Apart from affirming that Africa had its own science civilisation that is as ancient as measuring time through a calendar, this calendar casts light on the heritage of the continent.
 
Other icons who are significant to liberation heritage will also be the focal point of celebrating women’s month. The Council has already visited some of the heritage sites that require attention in preserving their heritage and integrating them into the mainstream economy. Such sites include the Chief Mmalebogo Resistance Battle Site in Blouberg, Cradock Four Garden of Remembrance and graves in Cradock, SEK Mqhayi grave.

“It is important for us as a nation to reflect on the role that women played in the heritage of struggle icons and the freedom struggle. While we find ways of documenting the history, we are also cognisant and encourage the public to reflect on the contribution of women across the board”, says Sonwabile Mancotywa the CEO of the National Heritage Council.
 
Issued by:    The National Heritage Council (NHC) of South Africa

Contact: Danny Goulkan (Communications Manager), 072 952 2260/ danny@nhc.org.za or Linda Shilakwe, (Communications Officer), 012 348 1663 / 084 597 8881 l.shilakwe@nhc.org.za