The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture participated in the forty-fourth World Heritage Committee Session, re-affirming the need for heritage sites to be inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture issued a statement on Monday, 26 July 2021, on the forty-fourth World Heritage Committee Session. The department noted that Minister Nathi Mthethwa participated in the session where he re-affirmed the need for heritage sites to be representative of African interests, particularly nations that have been on the receiving end of atrocities under colonial rule.
The department stated that the minister’s intervention was made on behalf of South Africa and supported by African countries partaking in the World Heritage Committee Meeting. The meeting was organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in cooperation with the host country, the People’s Republic of China.
The department also emphasised that the inscription of heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List would be educational, with a view to change the global narrative about the meaning and significance of such sites. The department further stated that with the concern for representation, inclusivity and fairness on the agenda of the World Heritage Committee, dialogue on the subject is expected to be amplified at the next gathering to take place in Russia.
See the post below.
Media Statement: 44th World Heritage Committee Session urged to decide in favour of countries that experienced colonial rule and oppression.
Minister @NathiMthethwaSA re-affirmed the need for #HeritageSites to be representative of Africa interest…#WorldHeritage#Heritage pic.twitter.com/Uac9LP7pCO— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) July 26, 2021
