Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says South Africa needs to honour its sons and daughters who helped the country attain freedom and democracy.
“As South Africans from all walks of life, regardless of the role we played in history or what we believed in then, we have a responsibility to respect and acknowledge the past, celebrate the present and build the future together,” Zuma said at the official renaming ceremony of the Department of Correctional Services’ Pretoria Management Area to Kgosi Mampuru II Management Area.
The event was attended by Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele, senior government officials as well as traditional leaders.
It forms part of the celebration of April as Freedom Month, which has also been referred to as Heroes’ Month in South Africa.
The country attained its democracy in April 1994 when South Africans of all races were allowed to vote for their government for the first time.
Kgosi Mampuru was hanged on 22 November 1883 in Pretoria prison, something Zuma said made it fitting to name the management area after him.
“The new name should create a general feeling of belonging, because it captures our history and creates a context of relevance. We are pleased therefore, to launch Freedom Month with such a historic event.
“This renaming today also marks a historical milestone in our correctional heritage. To be effective, and relevant, the field of corrections, as well as its facilities, must talk to the history that has gone before it, shaping it and drawing inspirations from it.”
Zuma added that government had an extensive on-going heritage programme that includes the upgrading and declaration of historic sites to ensure a more representative and inclusive South African history and heritage.
He said the building and maintenance of new monuments and historic sites had a greater potential to stimulate economic activity and create much needed jobs in communities where these sites are located. These sites would also contribute towards cultural tourism both domestically and internationally.
“We will work together with the people of South Africa and the world to ensure that we preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage. We regard this work as central towards transformation, nation building, national identity and building a socially cohesive South African society that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous,” said Zuma. – SAnews.gov.za
