President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the designation of Constitution Hill and other legacy sites as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 21/06/2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa through his office has welcomed the latest designation of Constitution Hill and other legacy sites such a the Union, Walter Sisulu Square as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Picture: Nhlanhla Phillips/African News Agency/ANA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the designation of Constitution Hill and other legacy sites such as the Union Buildings, and Walter Sisulu Square as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
According to a statement from the Presidency, at least 14 sites were inscribed as world heritage sites by the global institution.
The statement read: "Collectively, this serial property demonstrates the events and ideas that served as the core of South Africa's liberation struggle, which continue to inspire humanity and the embrace of reconciliation, a quarter of a century later. The 14 components exemplify strong memories and beliefs in the triumph of human rights, liberation and reconciliation.“
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee also elected three of the country's Middle Stone Age sites for the "recognition of South Africa's significant contribution to the understanding of origins of modern human behaviour."
They are, the Diepkloof Rock Shelter close to Expands Bay in the Western Cape, Pinnacle Point Site Complex in Mossel Bay, also in the Western Cape, and the Shibudu Cave in KwaDukuza in KwaZulu Natal.
The Presidency urged South Africans to work towards ensuring that these sites remained the treasures they were: "The Presidency calls on all South Africans, spheres of government, management authorities and heritage stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner to ensure that these precious treasurers of humanity are safeguarded and optimally deployed to meaningfully contribute to sustainable development in communities and further entrench the values of human rights, freedom, peace and reconciliation.“
Reuben Pasha, Constitution Hill's public programmes director, speaking to SABC News said: "This initiative has significance for the country as a whole. It is a project that took almost 11 years for South Africa to get where we are. The team representing South Africa in New Delhi, India have done a fantastic job. This is a moment to be proud of for South Africa as a whole for what our liberation struggle meant, and how we dealt with the process of liberation."
Constitution Hill, also known as the human rights precinct, houses the Constitutional Court, the former women's jail where remarkable female political activists such as Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Fatima Meer and Albertina Sisulu were incarcerated. Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo and Mahatma Gandhi had also been jailed here.
It has become a living museum that tells the story of South Africa's dark past.
Pasha said the UNESCO designation was a reflection of the human rights that thousands of political activists and ordinary people fought and agitated for.
"All of that has been recognised internationally. It is such a great reference point and a big honour to South Africa. It is something to be grateful for and to celebrate that 14 sites in four provinces in the country have received this honour. This is the recognition of their input to human rights, liberation and reconciliation.This is all linked to Nelson Mandela and his legacy, and is an amazing moment that we should all be proud of," he added.
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