The 2013 Northern Cape Provincial Heritage Day celebrations will be held on the 24th September 2013 in the small town of Philipstown in the Pixley ka Seme District. This is where tombstones of six fallen heroes and heroines of the struggle for liberation will be unveiled.

The day will be celebrated under the theme “Reclaiming, restoring and celebrating our heritage”. Through this theme the government seeks to reaffirm and promote the Liberation Heritage as an integral part of South Africa’s living heritage to the youth, in particular the “born free” generation. The event will be addressed by the Premier Sylvia Lucas.

The above-mentioned event will be preceded by the unveiling of the tombstone of Mr. Dawid Kruiper on Saturday, 14th September 2013 in Andriesvale, ZF Mgcawu District (formerly Siyanda).

Mr. Dawid Kruiper is a former traditional healer and leader of the Khomani San in the Kalahari, Northern Cape Province. He passed away at the age of 76 on 13 June 2012. As part of the Heritage Month’s activities, all provincial government departments will roll-out their respective programs in the province throughout the month of September.  

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has since made great strides in transforming the heritage sector by establishing monuments, memorials and museums in honour of some of our liberation struggle icons in the province.

South Africa is also home to eight of the world's official heritage sites, as determined by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. 28 additional heritage sites have been identified nationally and these will be granted the official status this year, and will contribute to the creation of more jobs in the arts, culture, heritage, construction and related sectors. The Northern Cape Province has over 100 declared provincial heritage sites with Wonderwerk cave nominated for the world heritage status.

Heritage Month comes just a few months before South Africa celebrates 20 Years of Freedom. The celebrations will provide an opportunity for the Government to reflect on progress that has been made in realising former President Nelson Mandela's dream of ensuring our diverse heritage is respected and recognised equally.


Issued by: Morapedi Sekhoane
Manager: Communications and Special Programs
Northern Cape Sport, Arts and Culture Department
Tel: 053 807 4648
Cell: 078 944 0200