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21 October 2003
The News Editor
MEDIA INVITATION
KZN FREEDOM PARK CLEANSING, HEALING AND SYMBOLIC REPARATIONS CEREMONY
The KZN Province through its Department of Education with the Freedom Park Trust will be hosting the Freedom Park Symbolic
Cleansing, Healing and Reparation Ceremony in Ulundi Stadium on Wednesday, 29
October 2003 starting at 10H00.
Freedom Park is a democratic National Government’s
visionary undertaking, which will see South Africa boast a world-class heritage
precinct incorporating a national monument, state-of-the art inter-active museum
and memorial gardens at Salvokop Hill in Pretoria.
One of its objectives is to help heal the wounds and pains
brought about by the past, by acknowledging the struggle of humanity for
freedom, participating in the Provincial cleansing, performing traditional and
spiritual ritual as symbolic acts of cleansing, healing and reparation, as well
as committing the KZN Provincial Government to work together to achieve peace
and harmony by exercising tolerance as well as pledging never again subjecting
humanity to conflicts as experienced in the eight areas in our past history.
These areas include Pre-Colonial Wars, 1st World War, 2nd
World War, the Anglo-Boer War, Wars of resistance, the Liberation Struggle,
Genocide and Slavery. The project also aims to recognise everyone who
participated in the mentioned areas of conflict.
Apart from His Majesty King Zwelithini, the Premier of
KwaZulu-Natal, Dr LPHM Mtshali, the KZN Minister of Education and Culture, Mr
Narend Singh, other major stakeholders, including Faith based organizations,
Traditional Healers groupings, Political Organizations, Private Sector
groupings, Youth Formations, All Government Departments and Community-based
organisations will participate in this momentous observance.
The Freedom Park is a national project of the Department of
Arts, Culture, Science and Technology - a legacy project that began its
operations two years ago – driven by the Freedom Park Trust under the
leadership of Dr Wally Serote. Provincial activities will culminate with the
national launch from 10th to 16th December 2003 in
Pretoria.
In preparation for the National Cleansing Ceremony, a Task
Team approved by the KZN Provincial Cabinet, has in the meantime secured unique
historical items consisting of a boulder, a size of a door, obtained from
EmaKhosini, a historical cultural site with a history inclusive of wars of
resistance fought in that area, three bags of soil obtained from three sites
which are the shoreline of KZN with a rich history of cultural groupings who
have settled in this Province, KwaBulawayo which is Queen Nandi’s gravesite
and at KwaDukuza where the grave of the great King Shaka’s is. The tree
UMphafa forms part of the items.
Also the list of names of heroes and heroines who
participated in the first and second world wars together with wars of resistance
as well as slavery has been put together and approved by Cabinet.
Members of the Media are invited to participate and cover this historic
Cleansing, Healing and Reparation Ceremony in Ulundi.
Mandla Msibi
Director: Communication and Public Relations
Tel.: (035) 874 342
Cell: 083 461 6253
Fax: (035) 874 3640
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