CONFERENCE PAPER – Bongane Mkhize

TITLE

‘Taking Freedom Park to the People’

Paper presented in the Conference organised by South African

Society for History Teaching, SASHT,

23-24 Sept. 2011

SLIDES PRESENTATION

(Copyright for SASHT)

INTRODUCTION

• Henry Ford said: history is bunk, 1916

• Francis Fukuyama echoed Ford: end of history, 1989

• Both shameful declarations and outrageous misrepresentations of history and heritage

INTRODUCTION

This paper is a narrative presentation of Freedom Park as a cultural institution. It is not investigative. Neither is it analytical nor academically rigorous. However, one cannot completely rule out the obvious temptation to argue (See Bongane Mkhize; The role of heritage institutions in the creation of common citizenship and nation-building in the post-apartheid South Africa ( to be published by AISA in Africa Insight, (2012)

INTRO.

The paper aims to explain the relevance and the special place Freedom Park occupies or rather, should occupy in both heritage and tourism industries in SA.The paper was also inspired by the concerns of the governing council of Freedom Park; ‘how best to promote Freedom Park, especially to young children, and to schools in particular’.

INTRO.

The paper foregrounds the centrality and uniqueness of F/P in the heritage industry with its principle of the emancipation of the African voiceThe paper elucidates that Freedom Park is not an African National Congress, ANC monument, but the dream of the entire nation. See examples overleaf.

EXAMPLES

1. After being taken on tour of the F/P, the great grandson of President Paul Kruger was quoted as having emotionally said that, “I felt the presence of my great grand-father in this space” (Sipho Mdanda). 2. F/P Hosted 150th celebrations of the arrival of Indians in 2010 in conjunction with 1860 Legacy Project, the Foundation for Human Rights, and the Gauteng provincial Government (p. 20 Quarterly Report Oct-Nov 2010) 3. F/P consulted widely and visited 14 countries before starting with the construction which began after 16 June 2002 to coincide with the youth month.

INTRO: EXAMPLES

Who participated in F/P’s concetualisation?•IKS practitioners and organic intellectuals•Faith-based institutions including African Indigenous Churches (AICs)•Civic groups•Traditional leaders•Traditional healers•International community (14 countries) and•Workshops were conducted and another in 2010 on inter-faith•Continuous consultation is on-going through dialogues

Cont.

The paper also celebrates F/P’s own champions:•NELSON MANDELA•The Arch, DESMOND MPILO TUTU•GENERAL MASONDO (late)•CREDO MUTWA•THABO MBEKI•WALLY SEROTE•HARIETTE NGUBANE (late) •YONAH SELETI and the •F/P’s initial STAFF

METHODOLOGY

Qualitative and opportunistic -heavily based on archival (F/P), primary materials (concept papers: F/P) housed in F/P’s Pan African Archives, PAA -Annual & Quarterly Reports and-Collegial conversations (colleagues)-Engaging with visitors

FOUNDATIONS

Nelson Mandela envisioned a day not too far when SA shall have a people’s shrine, a freedom park, ‘where we shall honour with all the dignity they deserve, those who endured pain so we should experience the joy of freedom’ (Freedom Park, undated)

FOUNDATIONS

The country is drenched in blood and needs a place of healing, reconciliation and nation building (Mandela, 1999)The Arch, as Tutu is affectionately known confirmed the need for a ‘freedom park’, a Garden of Remembrance for the nation which should be based on the nation’s constitutional principles of;•DEMOCRATIC•NON-RACIAL and•NON-SEXIST SOCIETY(Act No. 108 of 1996)

PHILOSOPHICAL CONTEXT

• F/P utilises ontologies and epistemologies that have their roots in Africa and its Diaspora

• F/P foregrounds knowledge on civilisations and cultures of Africa in telling the story of SA ‘s pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid, post apartheid history and heritage spanning 3.6. billion years to commemorate those sheroes and heroes who contributed to our freedom and humanity

PHILOSOPHY

F/P’s phil. is embedded on the African concept of humanity/humanness (ubuntu), oneneness, kindness even to animals and nature around humans. It is entrenched in the dictum that:•I am because we are… therefore, I am•Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu•Motho kemotho kabatho•Muntu ndimuthu ngavathu•Umuntu muntu pa Bantu•Omuntu nomuntu ahabwaBantu•Munhu, munhu, nevanhu

PHILOSOPHY, cont.

•IKS: African epistemologies•RECONCILIATION and NATION BUILDING to foster a sense of unity, security and belonging•African Renaissance and Thabo Mbeki’s world famous speech, I am an African (15 May 1996)•Pan-Africanism championed by the Diarspora Africans and Marcus Garvey’s back-to Africa campaign and•A strong African union

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

PRECOLONIAL –conflicts within various indigenous African communitiesGENOCIDE –evident up until 19th centurySLAVERY – chattel or traditional slavery introduced by the Dutch from 17th century; inboekeling and trans-Atlantic slave tradeWARS OF RESISTANCE –indigenous peoples resistance against European intrusion and colonialismSOUTH AFRICAN WAR- 1899-1902TWO WORLD WARSLIBERATION STRUGGLE:•Armed struggle•Mass struggle•Underground struggle•International solidarity

LANGUAGE

• CONSTITUTION, Act 108 of 1996 including 1993 Constitution

• Unity in diversity (Rainbow Nation)• Different languages are used in the naming of

features including Khoi-san, //Hapo (dream), interpretive museum:

• //Hapo ge//hapo tama/ haohasib dis tamas ka I bo

( a dream is not a dream until it is shared by the entire community)

FOUNDING LEGISLATION

•The Constitution of the Republic of South

Africa, Act 108 of 1996

•Declared a Cultural Institution effective 01

April 2009 in terms of the Cultural

Institutions Act 119 of 1998 and National

Heritage Resource Act, No. 25 Sec. 71 of

1999

STRATEGIC LOCATION

•Freedom Park is located on a 52 hectare site called Salvokop,

Pretoria.

•The Park lies between the M1 and Nelson Mandela Drive

•F/P has 360 degrees panoramic views of the city

•Voortrekker Monument

•It is in full view of the Union Buildings, and in close proximity to

UNISA to the east and the Voortrekker Monument to the west

•Reserve Bank

•Gautrain and,

•Strategically surrounded by Fort Klapperkop, Fort Kanskop & Fort

Wonderboom beyond

LONG WALK WITHIN THE PARK +- 2HRS

GRAPHIC REP. OF ELEMENTS

INTERCONNECTEDNESS

VISION AND MISSION

• Vision

Freedom Park purports to be a leading national and

international icon of humanity and freedom.  

• Mission

To provide a pioneering and empowering heritage

destination in order to mobilise for reconciliation and

nation building in our country; to reflect upon our past,

improving our present and building our future as a united

nation; to contribute continentally and internationally to

the formation of better human understanding among

nations and peoples.  

VALUES

Values

•In carrying out its mandate, Freedom Park is committed,

but not limited to the following values:

•Tolerance of diversity

•Inclusivity

•Trust

•Transparency

•Accountability

•Emancipation of the African voice

(Freedom Park Annual Report, 2009-2010)

KEY OBJECTIVES

(Those relevant to schools)

•Contribute to social cohesion by positioning Freedom Park as a

symbol of national identity

•Establish mechanisms to promote, protect and preserve

Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).

DEPARTMENTS

1.The Office of the CEO & DCEO2.HERITAGE AND KNOWLEDGE (Education Unit is here)3.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION4.INNOVATION AND INCUBATION5.PARKS OPERATIONS5. HUMAN RESOURCES and

CENTRAL THEMES

Freedom Park strives to preserve:• history• culture• spirituality• IKS, and • heritage of the nation in the context that will be

respected nationally and internationally; and cross-culturally

CORE BUSINESS

• The creation of a memorial that will narrate the story of South

Africa’s pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid, and post-apartheid

history, culture, spirituality, IKS and heritage, spanning a

period of 3.6 billion years,

• To acknowledge the heroes and sheroes that selflessly laid

down their lives for freedom of the country.

STATURE

• F/P is the heartbeat of all that is South African heritage; the country’s history, culture, spirituality and heritage

• It is the hub through which to know this land of possibilities in all its diversity as it tells the story of humanity

• It is a monument to democracy that serves to reflect upon the country’s past, improve our present and build our future as a united nation

Educational Responsibility

• F/P mobilises educational institutions at all levels to educate learners/ students to engender social cohesion (Quarterly Report, October to December: 2010)

• Therefore, it becomes very clear that Freedom Park’s mandate is closely linked to education and learners of this country

• This is in line with UNESCO’s Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005 –2014 which is to integrate principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning.

MUSEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

F/P fosters principal avenues of museology ( the hub of a country’s tourist industry);1. Tangible culture and natural heritage: buildings, monuments, landscapes, artefacts, books, works of art2. Intangible culture: biodiversity and landscapes (See Location)3. Natural environment: flora and fauna, (biodiversity) and 4. Geo-diversity: Geological elements: mineralogy, geomorphology, paleontology etcF/P encompasses all these; no institution in the world covers history, culture and spirituality under one roof

THE ROLE OF THABO MBEKI

Thabo Mbeki demonstrated ‘fresh appreciation of the intangible aspects of [African] heritage, such as oral history, oral traditions, cultural expressions and indigenous knowledge’ (Wells, 2008: 30).

His idea, founded on ideas of the legendary Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu was the creation of a space for spiritual renewal in the form of a museum and a monument to the conflicts and struggles that shaped today’s free South Africa (Wells, 2008: 30).

MBEKI

Mbeki’s influence and passion for Freedom Park is immense.In constructing F/P, Mbeki was overwhelmed by reigniting African Renaissance and pan-africanism with his idea that the 21st century ‘is Africa’s century’In his approach to conceptualisation, Mbeki was obviously cautious about the possibility of western influences in this phaseMbeki took exceptional interest in ensuring that this was kept to the minimum despite globalisation nuances pushing ahead

MBEKI

In terms of the 2005 UNESCO Convention, cultural diversity is a defining characteristic of humanity. Article 1 of the 2005 Convention prescribes that all nations should;(a) protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions and (b) create the conditions for cultures to flourish and to freely interact in a mutually beneficial manner (UNESCO Conventions, 2005).

MBEKI

Also greatly honoured at Freedom Park in the ‘Mbekiist’ idealism is the emancipation of the African voice, using the tool of continued dialogues (Wells in Denis and Ntsimane, 2008: 22) Also of profound significance about Mbeki’s national values is reconciliation, nation building and continent buildingMbeki initiated the construction with the transplanting of the African Olive tree on 16 June 2002 (See above)

THE MAIN FEATURES/ELEMENTS

•Isivivane, a sacred space - It is a universal spiritual space, symbolising the spiritual and cultural interconnectedness and commonness of humanity globally•S’khumbuto – Remembrance with;

The Wall of NamesThe SanctuaryThe AmphitheatreThe Gallery of LeadersEternal Flame

•Moshate – Presidential Suite•Mvelezo, a spiral path – joins all the elements of Freedom Park•Tiva – man-made dam (has since been put on hold)•//Hapo – interactive museum•Artworks (circle of peace and Origin of Tiva)•Uitspanplek – resting and picnic spot•Senhtlaga: fun spot for kids next to the museum, //HapoNote the use of different South African languages (Constitution)

FEATURES

• Pan African Archives, PAA (inside the museum) very important for research purposes

• Resource Centre, library, also inside the museum• State of the art technology with touch screens (in the

Gallery of Leaders) containing biographical data of these sheroes and heroes and eminent leaders (See below)

//HAPO – the Museum

//HAPO – The MuseumMore than a museum!

THE MUSEUM: ///HAPO - more than a museum

Freedom Park’s most significant narrative element is an

interactive museum called //Hapo: dream –: a title drawn

from an expression from the Khoisan people which says,

‘a dream is not a dream until it is shared by the entire

community’.

It is in this space that the story of the struggle of

humanity for freedom is told. It is also here where the

story of mankind dating back 3.6 billion years is told in a

constructivist and participatory manner creating a mutual

relationship between the staff and visitor.

Visitors touch and feel artefacts (fossils etc) unlike in

conventional museums as we know them

3.6 billion years - 7 Periods/Epochs:

NB. Not to be confused with the Eight Conflicts in the Wall of Names at S’khumbuto

1. Epoch One – Earth•African creation story•Barberton rock•Fossils•Organisms and bacterial life•Graphic timeline

2 Epoch Two - Ancestors•African spirituality•African story of life and death and rituals•Significance of ancestors and their role in daily activities of the living.

The 3.6 billion Story in //Hapo

3. Epoch Three - Peopling•Technology in Africa before colonialisation•Africa’s history, trade and development.•Bantu civilizations and migrations•Slavery•The San and the Khoi•Pre-colonial systems of leadership

4 Epoch Four - Resistance and Colonization•Perspective of foreign colonizer.•Indigenous people and their generosity towards colonizers.•Highlights IKS before colonizers arrived – IKS a tool for resistance•Economic systems based on IKS and African epistemology•Trade routes used by Voortrekkers•How landscapes changed as divided by colonisers

The 3.6 billion Story in //Hapo

5. Epoch Five - Industrialization and Urbanization•Industrialisation and mass production before colonizers.•Exploitative labour practices and breakdown in family structures•Urban life and strategies used to deal with new lives in the cities•Mineral wealth of South Africa and its implications for course of history and the Union in 1910•SA War from the perspective of a Black South African in preparation for the fact of exclusion from the Union in 1910.

6 Epoch Six - Nationalisms and Liberation Struggle•Exclusive and inclusive nationalisms•Homelands•Sol Plaatjie deputations to the UK•Pixley KaSeme 1912 (foundations of modern resistance, led by learned, middle class and kholwa)•SANNC•Freedom Charter, 1955, Kliptown (intensification of inclusive nationalisms)•Strategies of the struggle (four pillars)

The 3.6 billion Story in //Hapo

7. Epoch Seven - Nation Building and Continent Building•Circumstances that led to negotiations•Negotiations•Government sponsored violence•Freedom and excitement of 1994 – Tutu’s Rainbow people of God are born•TRC•AU and NEPAD, Africa’s Century, I am an African, African Renaissance etc.•“The World Cup 2010 will be organised in… South Africa!!!” –the culmination of the struggle

A BREATHTAKING EXPERIENCE INSIDE //HAPO

EDUCATION UNIT

Is the newest having been started in June 2010

COMPOSITION ( with exceptionally qualified staff)1.MANAGER2.CURRICULUM DEVELOPER3.EDUCATION OFFICERS and4.STORY TELLERS

MANDATE OF THE UNIT1.TO DEVELOP A CURRICULUM WHICH IS IN LINE WITH HERITAGE AND HISTORY2.TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES3.TO INTERFACE WITH STAKEHOLDERS4.TO PRESENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES5.TO TELL THIS STORY OF3.6.BILLION YEARS

EDUCATION METHODOLOGY

Educational programmes allow for interaction, interpretation, and participation in a constructivist approachOther methods encapsulated here are; (i) story-telling and (ii) ADIDAS: Activity-Discussion-Input-Deepen-Analysis-Synthesis, ADIDAS

These methods, though spontaneously applied (but not story-telling) ensure full participation by visitors regardless of their background. In the context of The Freedom Park, ADIDAS considers the fact that the visitor is not a tabular rasa –that the visitor has a priori knowledge; a Pythagorean principle (Pythagoras of Samos, Greece, 582 - 500 BC)

The curriculum is based on F/P’s content, all its features, philosophy and concept papers. It strongly links with and enriches the mainstream public curriculum. It does not replace the teacher in the classroom: a heritage site may not be a classroom, but should deliver heritage education, and can link certain content with the school curriculum

Though relatively new in museology, story-telling at F/P would not be conventional/traditional in approach, but rather, interactive

SOME EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMMES

Some examples; Steve Biko (BCM), TRC, Slavery, Sophiatown, spirituality (Isivivane), resistance and colonialism, peopling, nation building, urbanisation and industrialisation, xenophobia etc)

F/P targets all educational and academic institutions and other relevant stakeholders such as research institutes. In this regard, the research unit at F/P, in addition to developing content and biographies, produces academic research and pays specific attention to IKS research

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT FREEDOM PARK

Freedom Park can be used for the following: - As a research facility by visiting: Resource

Center/Library, Pan African Archives (PAA) etc

- Educational Tours - General tours( guided & self-guided) - Entertainment - Functions - Spiritual meditation - Prayer - Family rituals - Interfaith rituals etc.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• As a centre for understanding African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) and African medicinal practices the Freedom Park Nursery will showcase African indigenous plants –towards understanding African medicinal healing in juxtaposition to western medicinal practices and

• Also experience the flora including the Protea, SA’s national flower

//HAPO BUILDING

• THE DREAM: Pictures by author

//HAPO OUTSIDE

THE DREAM

//HAPO

THE DREAM CONTINUES

YOU AT FREEDOM PARK

INCLUSIVE NATIONALISMS

VISIT FREEDOM PARK

• YOU CAN VISIT AND SHARE THE EXPERIENCE (GUIDED/UNGUIDED TOURS)

• TIMES09HOO12H0015H00

• PRICESADULTS: R45.00KIDS/LEARNERS & PENSIONERS: R25.00

• YOU CAN BOOK FOR YOUR FUNCTIONSOCIAL GATHERINGSPICNIC AT THE UITSPANPLEK

NB. INTOXICANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PARK

Visit freedompark.co.za and/call +27 12 336 4000

WAITING FOR YOU

FREEDOM PARK IS WAITING FOR YOU!

HAVE YOU EVER VISITED THIS COLLOSUS OF A GARDEN OF

REMEMBRANCE?

LOVE YOUR HISTORY, CULTURE & HERITAGE

I THANK YOU – the paper is being developed for publication in SASHT’s 2012 Yesterday & Today Journal to coincide with //Hapo completion (ideas and comments welcome)NB. Visit SASHT’s 2011 Conference