Question NW771 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

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31 March 2022 - NW771

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

Noting that 9 September 2022 will mark 149 years since Chief Maqoma, who led three of the nine wars of dispossession against British colonialism in the Cape, was murdered by the British on Robben Island, (a) what engagements has he had with the Rharhabe Royal House to ensure that the 150th anniversary of Maqoma’s murder in 2023 is noted and that he is finally given the respect he deserves in the Republic’s liberation history and (b) why has his department left Maqoma’s final resting place in Ntaba kaNdoda, Keiskammahoek in the Eastern Cape to be run down and desecrated?

Reply:

My Department has not made any engagements with the Rharhabe Royale House nor the Royal House contacted the Department regarding the 150th anniversary of the death of Chief Maqoma.

a) However, the Department has through its agency; the South African Heritage Resources Agency in January 2019 completed the construction of a memorial wall in commemoration of Chief Maqoma, Ntaba Ka Ndoda. The gravesite is not a Declared Site in accordance with the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) and as such, its management remains under the custodianship of the province, and local authorities. SAHRA will engage the Rharabe Royal House on the purpose of grading the grave.

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