BuaNews (Tshwane)
Edwin Tshivhidzo
23 July 2008
Pretoria — The construction of phase two of the Freedom Park has commenced and is set to be completed by March next year.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on Wednesday, Freedom Park Chief Executive Officer, Dr Wally Serote, said an interactive museum called "hapo" will be built on phase two.
"Hapo" is drawn from a Khoi proverb that translates into, "dream".
The museum will unfold the country's history in a narrative and visual form, dating back 3.6 billion years.
"We have completed phase one as well as the intermediary phase and the elements constructed during these phases, namely Isivivane [resting] and Sikhumbuzo [remembering place], are currently open to the public," said Dr Serote.
Set for completion in the first quarter of 2009, phase two will also comprise the Pan African Archives, which will form the knowledge base and information storage facility for the Park as well as Vhuawelo, a place for mediation, self discovery, healing and spiritual connection.
"An acceleration programme has been implemented to meet this deadline," explains Dr Serote.
Dr Serote also reminded South Africans not to forget the contributions made by freedom fighters.
"Under no circumstances must we forget those contributions that freedom fighters have made," he said, adding that our freedom must be defended at all times.
The sod-turning event also served as the official hand-over of the site to contractor Fikile Stocks.
The Freedom Park was officially launched on 1 June 2000 as a response to the need identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for symbolic reparation of past conflicts in the history of South Africa.
It is the product of the many processes engaged on by Government since 1994 to create and foster a new national consciousness of the common legacy that binds the people of South Africa.
The foundation of the Freedom Park is based on the South African nation's reconciliation process as well as the advancement of the various rights entrenched in the constitution from a heritage perspective.
The Freedom Park, with its Garden of Remembrance, is located on a 52-hectare site on Salvokop Hill at the entrance into Tshwane from Johannesburg.
Among other things, the Freedom Park seeks to contribute to nation building and reconciliation by providing a forum for South Africans to value and appreciate our cultural diversity as a treasure and wealth of the nation.
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