Madiba House to be a national heritage site
2009-07-09
The land on which the house stands where Nelson Mandela lived before his release from prison, is to be declared a national heritage site. The SA Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) has notified all interested and affected parties of its intent to declare a 42 hectare portion of the Drakenstein prison site, known as Watervliet, as a national heritage site due to its historic significance. The site is accessible from the divisional road at the northern end of the prison property, and previously there have been proposals to develop it as a museum, peace centre and retreat. “The site forms part of other recognised symbols of the history of the Freedom Struggle in South Africa and directly relates to Robben Island, a World Heritage Site, where Nelson Mandela was initially incarcerated. “Drakenstein Correctional Services (formerly Victor Verster Prison), seen as an isolated yet more ‘comfortable place of imprisonment’, was used as the vehicle to facilitate negotiations between the Apartheid government and the liberation movement. “In this controlled environment, the freedom of South African society was contemplated, leading to negotiations around the Freedom Charter and a future democratic South Africa, which ultimately formed the basis of our current constitution. “This democratic constitution, based on the humanitarian tenets of dignity, equality and freedom, is a manifestation of a just triumph over the adversities suffered during the liberation struggle. ‘Madiba House’, Drakenstein Correctional Services is presented as the geographic place in South Africa that facilitated this monumental moment in history. “It was here that formal negotiations between divergent political forces (the ANC and the then South African government) were initiated. The former ‘liberation’ movements were recognised by the then South African government as a force to be reckoned with and the foundations for a free South Africa were laid. “Victor Verster Prison was elementary to the peaceful transition from white minority rule to an inclusive democracy. “ Send comments to the Provincial Manager of SAHRA Western Cape, Beverley Crouts-Knipe, by 30 August at PO Box 2771, Cape Town, 8000 or bcrouts-knipe@wc.sahra.org. za.
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