Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Paul Mashatile will give a keynote address at the sod turning ceremony of JL Dube project, marking the implementation of the second phase of this legacy project. John Langalibalele Dube was an educator, African nationalist and politician, ordained minister and an essayist, philosopher, publisher, editor, novelist and poet. He was the founding president of the African National Congress and the founder of the first Zulu newspaper “Ilanga lase Natali”.  The sod turning ceremony will take place on Friday, 14 March 2014 at Ohlanga Institute in Inanda Township, Durban.

The ceremony ciphers the beginning of the construction of the amphitheatre, access driveway including parking and fencing of the homestead. The second phase is part of the on-going master plan which in February 2012 marked the completion of the first phase of the project which comprised of the gravesite rehabilitation, the restoring of his house, construction of the interpretative centre and the Tower of Hope dedicated to JL Dube’s life. Born on 11 February 1871, He fought the injustices against Africans and unity of the South African people. He founded the Inanda Seminary Institute for Girls at Ohlange, which showed his visionary thinking of equity, that both men and women should be educated. JL Dube died on 11 February 1946 on his birthday.

The Department of Arts and Culture, as tasked by the Cabinet in 1998, initiated a number of National Legacy Projects. These projects are commemorative symbols to acknowledge the role of all South Africans who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of this country. JL Dube’s Legacy Project is one of the Department of Arts and Culture’s efforts to transform the heritage sector. The objective is to ensure that the South African landscape reflects the role played by all communities and individuals in transforming the country irrespective of their cultural background, religion or gender. This will also contribute to the Department’s mandate of facilitating social cohesion and nation building activities in the country.

As we mobilise the nation towards 20 years of freedom and democracy, government acknowledges all South Africans, through unearthing the untold stories and recognising the unsung heroes and heroines who participated in the liberation struggle of South Africa.

The event will take place as follows:

Date:                 14 March 2014 (Friday)

Time:                 09:00

Venue:               Ohlange Institute, Inanda Township, Durban                                            

RSVP:                Obed Makgoale: ObedM@dac.gov.za : 079 311 8546; 012 441 3713   

Enquiries:           Mogomotsi Mogodiri: MogomotsiM@dac.gov.za , 071 687 4984