The Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms. Lulu Xingwana will host learners from all nine provinces over a two-day Youth and Underwater Cultural Heritage Educational Awareness Programme to create awareness of underwater cultural heritage. Each province will be represented by two learners (grades 10-11) who have interest in history, culture, heritage, maritime, archeology and similar learning areas.

The awareness programme is been designed to expose youths from diverse backgrounds to Underwater Cultural Heritage. The Department of Arts and Culture intends to develop programmes that offer practical learning experience in various maritime archaeological practices in collaboration with stakeholders such as the South African Heritage Resources Agency.

The learners will attend workshops that highlight the global context of the South African underwater cultural heritage resources and employment opportunities that are possible in the sector. It is hoped that the programme will help popularise this sector. Activities will include supervised diving into underwater cultural sites (shipwrecks, etc) and video presentations of the daily activities of maritime archaeologists. On 16 October, the group will participate in more activities including a formal programme and interaction with the Minister at Simons Town on board a ship. A programme will be released in due course for more details.

Date : Friday, 16 October 2009
Time : 12:30
Venue : SAS Mendi, Simons Town, Naval Base

Address : Cole Point Gate- SA Navy off Simons Town, Main Road.

Enquiries : Berri Samuel (021) 462 4502/ 083 230 2761

Mpho Matjele 0722185657

RSVP: Carol Moses 082 829 3917 or cmoses@deat.gov.za

Draft programme:

Programme Director: Mr T P Wakashe, Director General of the Department of Arts and Culture

12:30: Performance by Navy Seals

12:40: Welcoming Remarks by Ms S Masuku-van Damme, CEO of the South African Heritage Resources Agency

12:45 Remarks by H E Mr R De Vos, Dutch Ambassador

12:50: Keynote Address by Ms L Xingwana, Minister of Arts and Culture

13:00: Signing of the MOU by SAHRA, CIE and RIM

13:10: Vote of Thanks by Mr V Ndima: Acting DDG: Heritage

 

 

 

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