The newly appointed MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Ntombizanele Sifuba, has welcomed the outcomes of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee which inscribed Waaihoek as a World Heritage site.
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee took place in New Delhi in July. In a statement released by the department it has been confirmed that the session was a significant step towards fostering global cooperation and ensuring the protection of World Heritage properties such as Waaihoek.
“The inscribed sites that are referred to as “The Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites”, are the following: Union Buildings; Constitution Hill; Liliesleaf; Sharpeville; Walter Sisulu Square; 16 June 1976; The Streets of Orlando West; University of Fort Hare; ZK Mathews House; Mqhekezweni; Waaihoek, as well as Ohlange,” spokesperson for the department, Tankiso Zola, added.
The Waaihoek church precinct is the founding establishment of the South African Native National Congress later on known as the African National Congress in 1912.
“The process to nominate Waaihoek as a heritage site started in 2019 following deliberations between SACR, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), and Mangaung Metro Municipality,” Zola mentioned.
Sifuba further encouraged the Free State community to embrace this historic site, protect it and preserve it for future generations. Visitations to Waaihoek is permitted during weekdays from 08:00 until 15:30 in Fort Street, Mangaung.
Compiled by Abigail Visagie
