The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, will, deliver a keynote address on 24 September, 2008 at the national Heritage Day celebrations. The celebrations will be held at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng province.

The national Heritage Day celebration is a culmination of the month long programme of activities launched by the Minister of Arts and Culture Pallo Jordan at the Zoo Lake, in Johannesburg on 7 September 2008. The theme for this year Heritage month is "Celebrating Our Dance, Our Heritage". Heritage Day recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation. Within a broader social and political context, events during Heritage Month provide opportunities to nurture cultural pride and inculcate a shared promoting unity in diversity and reconciliation.

Members of the media who wish to attend the event are requested to forward their names for accreditation by no later 22 September 2008 to the following people: bongani@gcis.gov.za 073 525 3107 or Selvy.Mohlala@dac.gov.za 072 147 6149 or ndivhuhog2@gpg.gov.za

Date: 24 September 2008

Time: 09h00 to 16h00

Venue: Maropeng, Cradle of HVenue: Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind

For more information please contact:

Department of Arts and Culture

Mack Lewele Cell: 082 450 5076 /012 441 3083

The Presidency:

Denzil Taylor Cell: 082 561 3772