The Department of Arts and Culture will conduct a sod-turning ceremony to launch the construction of Sarah Bartmann Centre of Memory. The ceremony will take place on Friday, 02 May 2014 at Hankey, Kouga in Eastern Cape. The MEC for Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Ms Xoliswa Tom will give a keynote address during the event.

Situated at her burial site, the Centre will honour and document the life of Sarah Bartmann, and the heritage of the Khoi-San people.

This centre will be comprised of a museum which will consists of two sections, the Khoisan museum, and the Sarah Bartmann museum. The museum consists of two sections, the Khoisan museum, and the Sarah Bartmann museum. Visitors will follow a route depicting a narrative about Khoisan history in order to contextualize Sarah Bartmann’s life.

The centre will also amongst others consist of a large genocide wall that contains dates and descriptions of all Khoi and San genocides in Southern Africa; the Great Place of Celebration in tribute to all female individuals who played a noteworthy role to encourage racial and gender equality in South Africa from the date of Sarah’s burial; a shallow trench around the grave which serves the purpose of keeping a physical and symbolic space of dignity between onlookers and the grave.

Sarah Bartmann Centre of Memory is part of the Department of Arts and Culture’s legacy projects aimed at transforming the heritage sector and reflect on the role played by all communities and individuals in transforming the country irrespective of their background, religion and gender.

Members of the media are invited The event will takes place as follows:

Date   : 02 May 2014

Time   : 09:00

Venue : Hankey High School, Hankey (Port Elizabeth) RSVP: Madimetja Moleba: 072 842 6594 Enquiries:Teresa Shabalala: 072 222 3169 or Mogomotsi Mogodiri: 071 687 4984