Pretoria - The declaration of the Voortrekker Monument as the first Afrikaans national heritage site since the advance of democracy is a significant milestone to building a united and diverse South Africa, says Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile.
"Today marks a historical milestone in the journey to build a South African nation that is truly united in its diversity," Mashatile said on Friday at an event to mark the declaration at the monument in Pretoria.
The Monument, at which Mashatile unveiled a plaque, attained National Heritage status because of its significance in the political history of South Africa and the building's unique architecture.
The monument was built in 1949 and commemorates the pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner. The monument is the first Afrikaans monument since South Africa's dawn of democracy in 1994 to gain the status of being called a national heritage site.
Mashatile said the declaration was a practical step to show that South Africa belonged to all who lived in it as well as a way to heal divisions of the past.
"We are making a bold statement to uphold the ideals of the founding fathers of our democratic nation," he said, adding that the act had deep historical meaning in strengthening reconciliation.
Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said the city had set aside R2.5 million to go towards taking impoverished school children on tours to the monument.
SAHRA Chairperson Somadoda Fikeni said: "Today marks an important concrete step and signal to the Afrikaaner community that they too are a part of South African history."
Fikeni told BuaNews said the Afrikaans community had been yearning for the declaration of the site.
Managing Director of the Monument Sonja Lombard said she was pleased. "We are extremely honoured and proud to be declared a national heritage site. This part of our history forms part of our country's history and that's why I believe that it's a proud day for all South Africans."
The declaration of the site was declared in the Government Gazette dated 8 July 2011.
