The two day Annual Heritage Conference, commenced on the 19th of March at the Missionvale Campus. The aim was aim to provide a platform for stakeholders to engage, with Healing through Heritage and Memorialisation. The aim was also to stimulate social cohesion and nation building on a community level and to give guidance in the development of content towards the creation of a living memorial/healing and Heritage Centre in the Northern Area.
Bright and early the attendees were treated with a City Tour around the Metro. This tour visited heritage sites such as Emlotheni in Mendi, the City Art Walk, the Red Location Museum etc. After the tour, guests had an overview presentation of the heritage of the metro by Mrs Nonceba Shoba, Acting Director Arts, Culture and Libraries.
Session two of day one stated with Prof Ciraj Rasool from the University of Western Cape, who presented a talk on Democracy and Memorialisation. Later, delegates were treated to supper and entertainment at the South End Museum.
Day two of the conference commenced with reflections of day one led by Prof Ciraj Rassool, followed by Dr. Noeleen Murray who discussed the Architecture of museums post 1994. Session one of day two was closed by Prof Denise Zinn who delivered a talk about Youth, Heritage and Education.
Session two proved rather intense with presentations and talks from Y. Obenewa Amponsah, Director of Fundraising & International Partnerships for the Steve Biko Foundation, Mr Yusuf Agherdien, Founder & Curator of the South End Museum and Prof Leslie Witz Centre for Humanities Research, UWC.
The conference ended with plenary sessions and focused on the following questions:
1. How does Heritage and Memorialisation contribute to Healing on a community level and what are the alternatives?
2. How could one integrate a project like the proposed Heritage and Healing Centre into the Metro and or region?
3. What are possible challenges in terms of governance and sustainability for the purpose of this project?
The conference was very successful and a publication will be made available to interested people.