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TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘You can't put a price on justice': McKenzie on reburials of ancestral remains and exile repatriation project
The government doesn't yet know how much it will cost to rebury the remains of Khoe and San ancestors or to bring home the remains of freedom fighters who died in exile, but minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie says the cost doesn't matter. 'It can't cost enough because people gave their lives. You can't put a cost to a life,' McKenzie said during a media briefing on Monday. McKenzie announced two major national projects: the reburial of 58 ancestral remains from the Khoe and San communities and the next phase of the Exile Repatriation Project, both backed by the government of national unity. 'These are not just projects — they are acts of justice, remembrance and healing. 'They affirm our government's commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration and confront the painful legacy of apartheid. These initiatives are about re-humanisation. They are spiritual but, most importantly, they are necessary,' he said. McKenzie said the 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape would be reburied in consultation with affected communities, including the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San. The process was being led by the Iziko Museums, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and a local task team. 'It is not just about returning the remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity. It is about fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations. It is about healing the deep wounds of dispossession and, most importantly, historical erasure,' he said.
TimesLIVE
20 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘You can't put a price on justice': Mackenzie on reburials of ancestral remains and exile repatriation project
The government doesn't yet know how much it will cost to rebury the remains of Khoe and San ancestors or to bring home the remains of freedom fighters who died in exile, but minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton Mackenzie says the cost doesn't matter. 'It can't cost enough because people gave their lives. You can't put a cost to a life,' Mackenzie said during a media briefing on Monday. Mackenzie announced two major national projects: the reburial of 58 ancestral remains from the Khoe and San communities and the next phase of the Exile Repatriation Project, both backed by the government of national unity. 'These are not just projects — they are acts of justice, remembrance and healing. 'They affirm our government's commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration and confront the painful legacy of apartheid. These initiatives are about re-humanisation. They are spiritual but, most importantly, they are necessary,' he said. Mackenzie said the 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape would be reburied in consultation with affected communities, including the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San. The process was being led by the Iziko Museums, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and a local task team. 'It is not just about returning the remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity. It is about fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations. It is about healing the deep wounds of dispossession and, most importantly, historical erasure,' he said.
The South African
27-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Previously disputed Bo-Kaap hotel now approved for development
The City of Cape Town's mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis has now approved a proposed hotel development at 150 Buitengracht Street in Bo-Kaap. The site, a vacant lot on the boundary between the heritage-rich Bo-Kaap and Cape Town CBD, is near to Auwal Masjid, which is the oldest mosque and madrassah in South Africa and is of great heritage significance to the area and city. The plans for this hotel were previously met with some contention and concerns by residents of Bo-Kaap. Due to these concerns, the plans have had to undergo extensive revision with community input via a six-month engagement facilitated by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). 'This appeal concerns an application near to a Masjid that is of profound heritage significance to all of Cape Town. For that reason, this matter has been treated with great care, and has followed an exhaustive engagement process. Few, if any, other development proposals have gone through such extensive community consultation, and redesign.' Mayor Hill-Lewis said. Mayor Hill-Lewis said that the hotel plan revision resulted in a consensus that the building should be smaller, lower, and that intrusive overlooking features be removed. 'The proposed building began its journey as nine storeys, but will now be six storeys, with a front facade of three storeys onto Buitengracht St. This is much smaller than several nearby hotels.' he added. The facilitation process was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 by a SAHRA team, which included heritage architects, heritage practitioners, historians, anthropologists, legal experts, as well as built environment experts. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
