Question NW2926 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

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11 December 2020 - NW2926

Profile picture: Luthuli, Mr BN

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

With reference to his recent instruction that the SA Heritage Resources Agency should conduct the audit of all monuments and statues in the Republic, (a) what criteria will be used to make an assessment of the statues and monuments and (b) how will his department enable public participation in the process?

Reply:

(a). The criteria for assessment for individual monuments and memorials is necessary to establish their cultural significance and suitability to the current South African Context. SAHRA has created four broad categories of assessment namely: community desirability; historical, social and political value; artistic or aesthetic value; and environmental and spatial qualities.

Cultural significance, as based on the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999.

(b). There is growing recognition that cultural heritage can benefit Nation Building and Social Cohesion, especially in the formation of personal or collective identities. Community participation then becomes an indispensable component of contemporary preservation practice.

The key focus beyond the materiality and desirability of the statue or memorial will be community participation. SAHRA will be following the legal prescripts as set out in the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) which ensures that meaningful participation take place during decision-making.

Furthermore, SAHRA will be making all decisions in consultation with the relevant Provincial Heritage Resources Authority, local authority and all interested parties.

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