BuaNews (Tshwane)
Vivian Warby
19 June 2009
Cape Town — The interim appointed Chief Executive Officer of Robben Island, Professor Henry Bredekamp, is working hard to ensure the smooth running of the museum.
This is according to Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, who said that Professor Bredekamp had set up a small team to turn the World Heritage Site around.
"Robben Island is one of our flagship institutions. It occupies an important place in the memory of this country. The department is working tirelessly to ensure that the invaluable heritage is well-preserved and promoted," said Mr Mashatile.
The advertisement for a fulltime CEO appeared in weekend newspapers recently.
Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana said that while the site continued to face challenges, the problems were not insurmountable. "I am optimistic that we have learnt from the past and that the measures that we are putting together will address the current challenges."
The department will continue to promote oral history as part of its efforts to ensure that the heritage landscape is reflective of the country's national memory and contribution to nation building and identity.
Robben Island hosts visitors form around the world, who are able to visit the prison cell where former President Nelson Mandela spent most of his time behind bars. Former prisoners hold the tours around the museum.
"We will promote oral history especially among marganalised communities who heritage and history has been ignored for many centuries."
The department is expected to host the annual Oral History Conference in Cape Town later this year to ensure that the country preserves the rich heritage of the nation for posterity.
The department has also concluded the drafting of the national policy on living heritage.
"We will soon embark on consulting South Africans on this important instrument. We encourage all South Africans to participate by providing us with input.
"Heritage contributes significantly to economic development and job creation. The Department will therefore be working with other departments on a study on heritage and economic development.
"This will help us in the sector to develop programmes and projects that will increase investments and economic activity in the heritage sector," said the minister.
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