30 September 2010

Programme Director,
Members of Parliament, here present
Our Living Human Treasures,
Academics and Artists,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

 
Good afternoon to all of you! 

We have come to the end of what I am told has been a highly successful seminar on Living Human Treasures.

This seminar concludes this year’s Heritage Month celebrations, in which we acknowledged the contribution made by our living human treasures in the development of our society.

These are individuals, who live among us in our communities, and are the custodians of our indigenous knowledge, expressions, customs, traditions and skills that   we regard as part of our heritage.

These icons play an important role in preserving our rich cultural heritage, ensuring that it is passed on from one generation to another.

It is indeed unfortunate that their role in our communities is often not recognized.

We trust therefore that; in this seminar you have deliberated on how we as a nation can acknowledge, preserve and transfer the vast knowledge and expertise of these distinguished individuals, to current and future generations.
       
On behalf of the Department of Arts and Culture, I wish to thank all of you for your contribution towards the success of this ground breaking seminar. 

A special word of gratitude goes to all our speakers for their insightful presentations.

Your inputs and ideas will no doubt assist us as we implement our National Policy on Living Heritage.

As a Department we expected this not to be just another talk shop. 

Judging from the briefing I got on the proceedings of this seminar, especially deliberations within Commissions, I am happy that this was an outcomes orientated seminar.

I am also pleased to learn that this seminar has come up with a number of practical mechanisms through which the implementation of our Living Human Treasures Programme can be strengthened.

This Programme will go a long way towards ensuring that as a nation, we celebrate our living icons and show them that we respect and value their talents and contributions to the development of our society.

The Living Human Treasures Programme will also strengthen ongoing efforts to build a humane society, where the contribution of all human beings is valued.

It is often said that the death of an elder person is equal to the destruction of a library, because when an elder person dies, the do so with their knowledge.

We trust that the Living Human Treasures programme will   reduce incidences where the custodians of our heritage pass on without their knowledge being appreciated and shared with present and future generations.

Programme Director, to us this seminar was not an end but rather the beginning of a long process of working together with our stakeholders to acknowledge the important role played by our Living Human Treasures in our communities.

Let us therefore join hands and together implement the outcomes of this seminar.
This we must do as part of our overall commitment to the preservation of our country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
     
Once more thank you for ensuring the success of this seminar. I wish you all a safe journey back home.   

Thank you.

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